A woman from Bristol has been handed a suspended prison term after an XL bully dog belonging to her attacked and killed her cousin. Kelcie Reed, 24, admitted to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Morgan Dorsett.
The incident occurred at Reed’s flat on Cobhorn Drive in Bishopsworth in February 2025. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, but despite their efforts, Dorsett succumbed to severe neck and face injuries sustained during the attack, according to a post-mortem examination.
At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Anna Richardson sentenced Reed to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered her to undergo mental health treatment. The dog, identified as Prince, was sedated at the scene and subsequently humanely destroyed by police.
Reed appeared emotional throughout the hearing and wept in the dock as the sentence was announced. Judge Richardson acknowledged Reed’s decision to accept responsibility, noting it spared everyone the additional trauma of a trial. The judge remarked that Reed had spent the last 18 months making efforts to move forward and encouraged her to continue that progress.
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