{"id":31301,"date":"2026-09-05T05:50:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T09:50:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=31301"},"modified":"2026-09-05T05:50:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T09:50:50","slug":"woman-whose-xl-bully-dog-killed-her-cousin-given-suspended-prison-sentence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2026\/09\/05\/woman-whose-xl-bully-dog-killed-her-cousin-given-suspended-prison-sentence\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman whose XL bully dog killed her cousin given suspended prison sentence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A woman has been given a suspended prison sentence after her XL bully dog attacked and killed her cousin.<\/b><\/p>\n

Kelcie Reed, 24, of Bristol, previously\u00a0admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out control<\/a>, causing the death of Morgan Dorsett.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The dog, named Prince, which belonged to Reed and her boyfriend, was sedated at the scene and later “humanely destroyed”, police said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"A<\/picture><\/span>Morgan Dorsett, 19, died after the attack in Bristol in February 2025 (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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 <\/p>\n

Reed, who appeared emotional throughout the proceedings, wept in the dock as the sentence was read out.<\/p>\n

The judge told her: “Rather than putting everyone through the additional trauma of a trial, you accepted responsibility.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

The court heard a post-mortem examination revealed cocaine in Morgan’s system, which had caused her to “act erratically”.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

The judge also noted Reed had attempted to intervene and stop the attack, suffering cuts and bruises herself, but was ultimately “unsuccessful”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Kelcie<\/picture><\/span>Kelcie Reed was shielded from the press as she arrived at Bristol Crown Court for sentencing (Image: PA Media)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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 <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

She told the court she struggled to sign birthday cards from the family, leaving an empty spot where her daughter’s signature should be.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully explain how much this has changed every part of our lives.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Caeila<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n

Caeila Dorsett described her older sister as a bubbly and positive person<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Morgan’s younger sister, Caeila Dorsett, described her as a “super bubbly” and sociable person; a “built in best friend” from the day she was born.<\/p>\n

“We did everything together – wore matching outfits, went to the same schools, had all the same friends, even shared a room for 16 years,” she told BBC Newsbeat.<\/p>\n

“She was definitely the person to take the good out of every situation and make it the centre. She was the first person I’d tell about anything exciting.<\/p>\n

“That’s what I try and do now, just bring some of Morgan’s positivity into my everyday life.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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‘Loopholes’ in legislation<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The 19-year-old said she initially “felt sorry” for Reed having to witness the fatal attack on a family member, but that in the 18 months since the incident, she felt her cousin had “not shown any remorse or compassion”.<\/p>\n

In her victim impact statement, she told the court: “We continue to live with so many unanswered questions which makes it difficult to find any sense of peace.”<\/p>\n

The family say they are working alongside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a bid to remove “loopholes” from current legislation around banned dog breeds.<\/p>\n

This will look at, for example, whether a dog is living with someone other than the exemption certificate holder, which can be difficult to track and enforce.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Panorama <\/strong>Dangerous Dogs: Is the Ban Working?\u00a0Watch on iPlayer<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Det Sgt Rich Glanville from Avon and Somerset Police described the investigation as “complex and challenging”, adding it was the “first of its kind” for the force.<\/p>\n

“As police officers we’re trained to deal with a multitude of situations, but I don’t think something like this could ever be trained for,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It was a horrendous incident which cost someone their life, and the impact to the officers and ambulance crew that attended would be something they’ll never forget.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"A<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n

Det Sgt Rich Glanville says Morgan’s death was the first time an XL bully had killed someone in the Avon and Somerset area<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Glanville said he hoped the primary takeaway from Morgan’s death would be one of responsibility for dog owners, to ensure legislation is being followed and suitable precautions are considered.<\/p>\n

“The dog is on the [banned breeds] list for a reason, but owners have to be responsible as well,” he said.<\/p>\n

“You have to look at the dog’s past to try and truly understand what temperament that dog has, what training that dog has had, and whether you are a suitable person to own that type of dog.<\/p>\n

“If you feel that people are not going to be safe, then you should be taking action.”<\/p>\n

If you are concerned that your dog is becoming dangerous, Glanville advises contacting a vet or specially trained dog liaison officers at the force for advice.<\/p>\n

Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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