CONVICTED (2023) | serial headcase Dean MacLennan, born c. 1993, of Linksfield Court, Seaton, Aberdeen AB24 1GU – kicked a dog in the face in an “unprovoked” attack.

Violent thug Dean MacLennan, who is no stranger to the Scottish courts, kicked a Staffy in the head so hard she was sent flying backwards.

The attack took place on Union Street, Aberdeen in the early hours of May 22, 2022.

MacLennan claimed the dog had bitten him on the face, but CCTV and his lack of injuries did not support this version of events.

Shockingly, despite the vicious and unprovoked nature of the attack, he escaped a ban on keeping dogs as the imbecilic judge decided such a move would not be “appropriate”.

Fiscal depute Kirsty Martin set out events for the court. She said: “A woman and her friends were on Union Street along with her dog, named Bella.

“The accused, an acquaintance, was also with them. They were all engaging in conversation.

“Without provocation, the accused kicked Bella with his right foot to her face, causing her to be thrown backwards.”

A verbal altercation between the parties then followed which caught the attention of police.

MacLennan told the officers the dog had bitten him on the face, but there was no evidence of this.

Ms Martin said: “CCTV showed the accused, unprovoked, kick the dog as described.

“The dog was at no point acting in a dangerous or aggressive manner.”

The court heard the woman who owned the dog passed away shortly after the incident.

MacLennan pleaded guilty to kicking Bella in the head.

Defence agent David Sutherland said his client maintained he’d been bitten by the dog and that the CCTV footage was filmed from “some distance away”.

‘There’s not any extended period of conduct in relation to dogs’

He said: “It was a Staffy, which is a dog which is commonly possessed or owned by those who move in drug circles.”

Sheriff Margaret Hodge interjected: “And who are on Union Street at midnight.”

Mr Sutherland agreed and went on to highlight his client’s struggles with his mental health and that he was a dog owner himself.

Sheriff Hodge told MacLennan: “Having heard the circumstances and heard from your solicitor, I’m inclined to deal with this by way of a fine.”

She imposed a £290 fine but with no time to pay, meaning MacLennan serves the alternative of 14 days in prison.

Turning to the possibility of a ban on keeping dogs or other pets, Sheriff Hodge said: “They don’t seem particularly appropriate here.

“There’s not any extended period of conduct in relation to dogs that would make me consider disqualification.”

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