Woman, 24, in charge of out-of-control XL bully that killed 19-year-old cousin by biting her neck is spared prison

A woman who was in charge of a dangerously out of control XL bully dog when it killed her teenage cousin has avoided prison. Kelcie Reed, 24, received an 18-week prison sentence – suspended for 18 months – after Morgan Dorsett, 19, died when she was attacked by the large dog.The XL bully named Prince fatally injured Miss Dorsett inside a flat at Cobhorn Drive, Withywood, Bristol, on February 26 last year.Ms Dorsett, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, suffered 'numerous puncture wounds, fractures and bruising,' Bristol Crown Court heard.The dog was legally owned, with a certificate of exemption in place which required Prince to be muzzled and on a lead in public. However, there were no restrictions on how it was to be kept in the home.At a previous hearing Reed pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.Judge Anna Richardson sentenced Reed to a suspended sentence with a nine-month mental health treatment requirement. Kelcie Reed, 24, received an 18-week prison sentence – suspended for 18 months – after Morgan Dorsett, 19, died when she was attacked by an XL bully dog Morgan Dorsett, 19, was fatally injured by XL Bully dog Prince on February 26, 2025 Reed hid her face in a large hood as she arrived at Bristol Crown Court on FridayShe acknowledged Morgan had spent four days at Reed's home and had had no issues with Prince prior to the night in question. The court heard Morgan had taken cocaine and suffered a seizure and then began screaming, causing the dog to attack.Reed attempted to protect her cousin from Prince, sustaining injuries to her arms, and phoned emergency services as soon as the dog was secured.When police arrived on the scene, Prince, who belonged to Reed and her partner, was sedated and then subsequently euthanised.The judge said: 'This is a case that was utterly tragic for Morgan Dorsett's family and it has also had a huge impact upon you.'I accept not a comparable impact, but a huge impact.'The sentence that I pass, regardless of where I found this case was on the guidelines would, I suspect, appear entirely inadequate to Morgan's family.'That is because the harm that has been suffered is of the greatest possible magnitude for her loved ones.'The effect of this order is that you have a prison sentence.'If you do not attend appointments in the next 18 months, and if you do not complete the treatment requirement, then you serve that prison sentence.' Morgan's mother, Marie Smith, spoke of her creativeness, individuality and eagerness to start her life in Bristol after moving from a small town in Shropshire (Morgan Dorsett is pictured) The court heard Morgan (pictured) had taken cocaine and suffered a seizure and then began screaming, causing the dog to attackReed wept while family members read victim impact statements with Caelia Dorsett, Morgan's 19-year-old sister, telling the court she had lost her 'best friend'. 'This loss has not only affected me, but our entire family - all eight of our siblings, our extended family, and everyone who loved Morgan. I hope that one day, we receive the answers we need to begin to move forward.'For now, we continue living life without our big sister. She will never see our graduations, go to our weddings, or meet her nieces and nephews. We love and miss you forever.'Morgan's mother, Marie Smith, spoke of her creativeness, individuality and eagerness to start her life in Bristol after moving from a small town in Shropshire.She said: 'She was my firstborn, and for 20 years, her name was on every card I'd ever written. When I see someone with pink or green hair, or ripped tights - which Morgan used to rip on purpose to be different - I think of her.'I do not think I will ever be able to fully explain how much this has changed every single part of our lives. The impact is constant and will stay with us forever.'Reed's defence described the attack as a 'sudden, unexpected event that was out of Kelcie's control' and noted she had a history of mental health problems. They continued: 'What was different was the cocaine that Morgan had taken before. 'The effect of it had caused Morgan to act out of character, which caused the reaction from Prince.'Potential for an incident such as this could not have been foreseen and there were no other safety measures that could have been taken.'The judge noted that there were six mitigating factors that lead her to conclude a custodial sentence was inappropriate, including Reed's position as a young mother, her references of good character, and her clear evidence of remorse.