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Woman admits being in charge of dangerously out of control XL bully when it killed a teenager in Bristol

A woman has admitted being in charge of a dangerously out of control XL bully dog when it killed a teenager.

The dog named Prince mauled Morgan Dorsett, 19, inside a flat in Withywood, Bristol, on February 26 last year.

Kelcie Reed, 24, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.

Ms Dorsett, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, suffered fatal bites to her neck during the attack. The dog was later put down.

Reed, of Lawrence Weston, Bristol, spoke only to enter her guilty plea. She was released on conditional bail until sentencing on 9 July.

Sarah Regan, defending, told the court the plea was entered "on a basis" - which means that while Reed pleaded guilty, she disputed part of the prosecution's case.

The judge told Ms Regan that Reed "must understand, as I am sure you have explained, there is a strong likelihood of immediate custody on the next occasion".

The barrister replied: "I have."

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In February 2024, it became a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.

Anyone owning one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, microchipped, and kept muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.

The government's move to ban the breed followed a series of attacks on people and other dogs.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: Woman admits being in charge of dangerously out of control XL bully when it kille

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