
'Dangerous' Powys XL Bully dog Bruce will be destroyed
Bruce, a four-year-old XL Bully type dog, was ordered to be put down by magistrates sitting in Llandrindod Wells this week, due to being 'very dangerous'.
In cases of this type, Dyfed Powys Police usually applies for a contingent destruction order – meaning the threat of destruction hangs over the owner if they cannot keep their dog under proper control.
However, Nia Jones, prosecuting the case on behalf of the force, said there were 'real concerns' about Bruce, who she said had been 'weaponised' by owner Chelsea Young.
Young, 28, argued that Bruce 'doesn't deserve to die' and that the only reason she is alive today is because he came to her rescue in January this year when she got into an argument with an ex-boyfriend.
'We are applying for a destruction order for the dog, which we don't usually do,' Ms Jones told magistrates in the spa town on Tuesday, July 15.
'We would normally ask for a contingent destruction order. But this dog is very dangerous, is out of control and the respondent is not a responsible dog owner.'
Ms Jones said Bruce was seized by authorities in January following an attack on a male at Young's Pen-y-Bryn home in Ystradgynlais, with two previous incidents reported in December last year.
'Police don't feel there's any other option,' added Ms Jones.
'There have been three recent incidents. On January 27 a victim, an ex-partner, alleged she (Young) set the dog on him.
'An argument began and she called Bruce, he ran towards the victim, summonsed by her; he panicked and tried to leave.
'The dog bit viciously at his legs and was trying to jump and bite his neck area. The victim went to hospital with leg injuries and was referred to a specialist plastic surgeon.
'The victim said Chelsea Young is a crack cocaine user, who leads a chaotic lifestyle, fuelled by drugs and criminality.
'He told police that something needs to be done (about Bruce) before someone is killed. She weaponises the dog.'
Ms Jones said that Young had another dog, called Ruby, with the victim claiming she uses the dogs to intimidate people.
Ms Jones said two separate incidents occurred over the Christmas period, one involving the same former partner and another involving another ex of Young's.
'It's bitten so many people, but people are scared to report it,' said one victim. One victim visited hospital due to a dog bite to his right thigh, which 'pierced the skin several times'.
'Her unwillingness to control Bruce is evident,' added Ms Jones.
'A contingent order is not suitable as he's not suitable to be rehomed. His true nature is that he is likely to attack again in the future.
'The dog has been examined and there are real concerns, especially including his height; he's very large and powerful."
Representing herself at the hearing, Young said: 'The dog was protecting me. If he wasn't there I wouldn't be here today.
'He's never bit anyone else. He would pass any assessment. He's very well cared for. I can look after my dog properly.
'My dog doesn't deserve to die, because he was saving my life. He doesn't like males because of what he's seen me going through.'
She pleaded with magistrates: 'If you're going to put him down, can I say goodbye, because he's like my child.'
Magistrates made the destruction order, with chair of the bench Geraint Evans telling Young: 'We do not believe your lifestyle is conducive to keeping dogs.
'We deem him a dangerous dog and grant the application. We also ban you from ownership of any dogs until further notice.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
A40 crash: woman dies as police call for witnesses
A woman died in a two-car crash on a rural road, police have female driver died at the scene of the crash, on the A40 at Broad Oak between Carmarthen and Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, where officers were called at 08:00 BST on Wednesday, Dyfed-Powys Police said. The force asked for witnesses to the collision, which involved a red Renault Clio and Blue Audi Q5. The people in the Audi were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police added.


BBC News
14 hours ago
- BBC News
Abercych police detonate WW2 hand grenade found by boys fishing
A live World War Two-era hand grenade had to be detonated after being found by two boys out fishing at a discovery of the Mills bomb was made in Abercych, Pembrokeshire, on 13 July."The device was found to be live and in a dangerous condition which necessitated it being detonated at scene by controlled explosion," Dyed-Powys Police force said the boys "did the right thing" by calling emergency services, urging anyone who finds anything suspicious not to handle it and to contact emergency services. The Mills Bomb is a classic pineapple-shaped hand grenade with a pull-pin and lever, first developed by Sir William Mills during World War One. Later improved versions were used extensively during World War Two, and they remained in service for many decades after.


Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Daily Record
'Disgusting' hobby of mum on death row after slitting husband's throat
Ramandeep Kaur Mann, 38, is facing the death penalty after being found guilty of murdering her husband Sukhjit Singh, 34, after lacing his biryani with sedatives A mum is facing execution by hanging on death row, accused of murdering her husband after drugging his biryani and slitting his throat in front of their nine year old son. Derby-based Ramandeep Kaur Mann was convicted of conspiring with her lover to kill her 34 year old husband Sukhjit Singh while they were holidaying in 2016 with their two children, as reported by the Daily Mail. The judge at Shahjahanpur District Court found that Mann had slit Sukhjit's throat after he fell into a deep sleep, aided by her lover Gurpeet Singh. It's believed the gruesome crime was driven by financial motives. Prior to his death, Mann had taken out a £2million life insurance policy for her husband and stood to inherit his property. Mann was found guilty in October 2023, with her son's testimony proving pivotal. Her legal team are now arguing that her son was 'coached' to give false evidence that he witnessed the murder, reports the Mirror. An appeal has been launched by Mann's lawyers, with a document alleging that Arjun - now 18 - was instructed on what to say by his grandmother Bans Kaur - Sukhjit's mother and Mann's mother-in-law. The document also accuses police and relatives of colluding to fabricate the case against her, according to the Daily Mail. Mann has consistently denied committing the murder. She alleges she was set up by her husband's family who, she claims, were the actual murderers of Sukhjit as they wanted to stop him from selling land he owned in India. Currently detained at Shahjahanpur District Jail in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Mann is sharing dormitory-style accommodation with 55 other female inmates. Since her imprisonment, Mann has embraced painting, and her appeal emerges as fresh images surfaced showing her displaying her creations whilst meeting local dignitaries as her standing as an artist gains recognition. She met local officials who toured the facility earlier this year to commemorate India's Republic Day, just weeks following Mann's participation in a Christmas showcase of her prison artwork. Charity representatives have also called on Mann to examine her creations, which feature a vibrant array of sketches and paintings, though not everyone welcomes the development of Mann's newfound artistic abilities. Bans Kaur, Sukhjit's mother, told MailOnline: "She does not deserve any applause and has no right to celebrate Christmas or any other occasion while I continue to suffer. I will be speaking to the jail officials about this. For the sins that she has committed, she should be suffering in a cell not being given a chance to paint and have a comfortable life. "She is a cunning and evil woman, and I don't believe for one minute she has changed. This [her art] is all being done for her appeal against the death sentence and is an attempt to win favour with the jail authorities. It's absolutely disgusting. "It's ridiculous to suggest that I 'tutored' Arjun and got him to lie. He gave a very long statement which had a lot of detail in it. How could we have got him to make all this up? How can you tell any teenager what to say? We will be challenging this appeal because there is no doubt that this woman murdered my son. "I will fight to the end to get justice for my son because what this woman did is unforgiveable. I don't care how good she is at art or what a model prisoner she has become because it means nothing." Following his mother's conviction, Arjun told MailOnline he did not regret giving evidence against Mann and that he wanted to watch her hang. He said he saw his mother smother his father with a pillow before her lover Gurpreet struck Sukhjit in the head with a hammer and Mann then slit her husband's throat.