Woman avoids jail for fatal XL bully attackKelcie Reed received an 18-week prison sentence – suspended for 18 months.Kelcie Reed (centre) covers up as she arrives at Bristol Crown Court (Ben Birchall/PA)PA WireRod Minchin1 minute ago
A woman who was in charge of an out-of-control XL bully dog which killed her teenage cousin has avoided prison.
Kelcie Reed, 24, received an 18-week prison sentence – suspended for 18 months – after 19-year-old Morgan Dorsett died when she was attacked by the large dog.
The XL bully named Prince fatally injured Miss Dorsett inside a flat at Cobhorn Drive, Withywood, Bristol, on February 26 last year.
Ms Dorsett, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, suffered fatal bites to her neck and head, Bristol Crown Court heard.
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At a previous hearing, Reed pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.
Morgan Dorsett died when she was attacked by the XL bully (Avon and Somerset Police/PA)PA Media
Imposing the suspended sentence with a nine-month mental health treatment requirement, Judge Anna Richardson said: “This is a case that was utterly tragic for Morgan Dorsett’s family and it has also had a huge impact upon you.
“I accept not a comparable impact, but a huge impact.
“The sentence that I pass, regardless of where I found this case was on the guidelines, would, I suspect, appear entirely inadequate to Morgan’s family.
“That is because the harm that has been suffered is of the greatest possible magnitude for her loved ones.
“The effect of this order is that you have a prison sentence.
“If you do not attend appointments in the next 18 months, and if you do not complete the treatment requirement, then you serve that prison sentence.”
Miss Dorsett had moved from her family home in Shropshire to Bristol to live with the defendant, her cousin, shortly before she died as she wanted to experience living in a big city.
The court heard the dog attacked Miss Dorsett when she suffered a seizure from the effects of taking cocaine.
Oliver Willmott, prosecuting, said a neighbour heard screaming coming from the adjacent property.
“What he describes is, ‘Get down, get down, lie down’, in a screaming voice.
“He believed he could hear another person screaming also. He went outside and he heard a woman shout, ‘She’s f****** dead’.”
Miss Dorsett was found in a bedroom of the flat having suffered injuries to her face and neck.
Reed told the emergency services at the scene that her cousin had suffered a seizure – although she did not know why – and that she had tried to put herself between Miss Dorsett and the dog.
After the incident, the animal was euthanised.
Mr Willmott said there had been previous incidents with Prince where he had killed another dog and Reed had previously posted on Facebook asking for advice on training.
“It was apparent this this dog had the capacity to cause considerable harm,” he said.
Reed’s boyfriend held a Government exemption certificate for keeping an XL bully and the dog – that weighed up to 55kg – was muzzled and kept on a lead while in public.
In a victim impact statement, Miss Dorsett’s mother Marie Smith said she could not put into words how her eldest daughter’s death had impacted the whole family.
“Morgan’s death has affected our family so deeply that it’s difficult to even put into words who she was and what we lost,” she said.
“Morgan’s death has cast a shadow over everything. It has changed my life and the lives of their siblings in ways that will never fully heal.”
Ms Smith said every major family milestone was “tainted” without her daughter.
“I do not think I will ever be able to fully explain how much this has changed every single part of our lives. The impact is constant and it will stay with us forever,” she added.
Miss Dorsett’s younger sister, Caeila Dorsett, said her family had many unanswered questions about what happened.
“This loss has not only affected me, but our entire family,” she said in a victim impact statement.
“We continue to live with so many unanswered questions, which makes it incredibly difficult to find any sense of peace.
“I hope that one day we receive the answers we need to begin to move forward.”
Sarah Regan, defending, said Reed had no prior knowledge of previous incidents with Prince and the attack on the other dog had never been reported to the police.
“What did happen was sudden and unexpected, and could never have been anticipated by her,” she said.
Covered up Kelcie Reed leaving Bristol Crown Court, where she received an 18 week prison sentence – suspended for 18 months (Ben Birchall/PA)PA Wire
“Whenever she had Prince she abided by the conditions. When outside he was muzzled and on a lead, and when people came to the door he was put in his crate.
“What made it different was the effect of the cocaine Morgan had taken.
“She told those at the scene Morgan had had a seizure and the dog had gone for her, and she had tried to stop it happening.
“Kelcie didn’t know Morgan had taken cocaine and that the seizure was a result of it.
“He initially reacted by barking and Kelcie tried to grab him. Morgan had got off the bed and moved towards the door, and then turned back and that’s when the attack happened.
“Kelcie had put herself in danger and attempted to put her body between them and the dog.
“These events could not have been foreseen by her.”
Miss Regan said Reed had developed PTSD since the incident and was also caring for her nine-month-old baby.
She added: “She is genuinely remorseful and she has lost someone she genuinely loved.”
Reed appeared emotional throughout the proceedings and wept in the dock as she was sentenced.
She was also banned from keeping dogs for 15 years.
Detective Sergeant Rich Glanville, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: “Morgan’s family have shown great courage despite experiencing such a terrible loss and we want to thank them for their patience and support through what’s been a really tough 18 months for them, while our investigation and court proceedings took place.
“It’s truly devastating that not only have they lost a loved one, but that Reed has not given them the answers about what happened that night – answers they deserve to have.
“This was a completely avoidable tragedy and was caused because Reed failed to have control over a dangerous breed of dog.”
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