Image source, Avon and Somerset PoliceByChloe Harcombe, Reporting fromin Bristol Crown Court and Bea Swallow, Bristol
- Published4 September 2026, 11:15 BST
Updated 6 minutes ago
A woman has been given a suspended prison sentence after an XL bully dog attacked and killed her cousin.
Kelcie Reed, 24, of Bristol, previously admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out control, causing the death of Morgan Dorsett.
The 19-year-old, from Shrewsbury, died from neck injuries caused by the attack, which happened at Reed’s flat in south Bristol in February 2025.
At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Anna Richardson sentenced Reed to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. She will also be required to undergo mental health treatment.
Emergency services were called to the dog attack at a flat in Cobhorn Drive, Bishopsworth, but despite their best efforts, Morgan died from bites to her neck and face, a post-mortem examination ruled.
The dog, named Prince, which belonged to Reed and her boyfriend, was sedated at the scene and later “humanely destroyed”, police said.
Reed, who appeared emotional throughout the proceedings, wept in the dock as the sentence was read out.
The judge told her: “Rather than putting everyone through the additional trauma of a trial, you accepted responsibility.
“You are someone who has over the last 18 months done what they needed to do to try and move forward. You need to continue to do that.”
Image source, Avon and Somerset Police
The court heard a post-mortem examination revealed cocaine in Morgan’s system, which had caused her to “act erratically”.
“Morgan’s behaviour was unusual, and when she sat up she began to scream upon seeing Prince. That led him to barking and ultimately, he attacked her,” Richardson said.
The judge also noted Reed had attempted to intervene and stop the attack, suffering cuts and bruises herself, but was ultimately “unsuccessful”.
In a victim impact statement, Morgan’s mother Marie Smith said the family now “lives under a shadow”, with every major milestone “tainted” without her present.
“Morgan’s death has affected our family so deeply it’s hard to put into words who she was and what we’ve lost,” she said.
“It’s something I carry with me all the time. It’s impossible not to feel like something’s missing. We find ourselves saying ‘Morgan would’ve loved this’ in happy moments.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully explain how much this has changed every part of our lives.”