The vet told the Reporter no official directive exists ‘one way or another’ as to what to do if a dog is seen to act aggressively.

She said the decision came down to a discussion with the owner and their vet.

The local professional, who did not wish to be named, told us: “It could be the dog is re-homed to a more appropriate environment or is subjected to an intensive behavioural training program.

“More often than not though, if there has been aggression towards children, it’s a pretty big warning sign something serious needs to happen.

“But such incidents are seldom black and white. You need to consider the environment, the frequency of any signs of aggression, the incident itself — was the dog provoked, was it defensive?” Her comments come after a devastated Renton dog owner said people were ‘too quick to judge’ on the nature of a dog because of its breed.

Teresa-Marie Phillips was left heart-broken after she had her Irish/Staffordshire Bull Terrier destroyed after it bit a child. A move she feels she was almost bullied into because of public perception. And, whilst she would never condone the outburst of the dog, she doesn’t believe the incident warranted the dog being put down.

Speaking to the Reporter, Teresa-Marie said: “We’ve had Jye since he was a pup and he got on fine with children. My niece used to climb on him and sit on his back, pulling at his ears and his eyes. There were never any problems.

“He was never aggressive towards them. He was a lovely natured dog – it had no violence in it. You could tell straight away Jye knew he had done something wrong – he sat ‘coorieing’ and shaking in the same spot.” Teresa-Marie, of Cordale Road, Renton, says people see ‘scaremongering’ headlines, but not the nature of the individual animal.

She added “Even when the police came in after the incident Jye was obedient and friendly, he wasn’t aggressive in any way. It’s heartbreaking.” Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent, Mike Flynn confirmed there was no official directive on the matter, saying only the courts can force the destruction of a dog. He said: “No dog, regardless of the breed, should be left unsupervised with young children. It is ultimately the owner’s responsibility to ensure their pet is kept under control at all times.

“An owner can decide to have their dog put to sleep if it has attacked, however, it is ultimately only a court that can order the destruction of a dog.” The incident comes just three weeks after the Reporter told the story of a Staffy attacking a Yorkshire Terrier, leaving the dog for dead.

The Yorkie had to be put down as a result of the attack and a sheriff ordered the bull terrier to be humanely destroyed.

Elsewhere, a tot in Kilmarnock also received hospital treatment after a similar attack. Some have asked whether there is a link to the recent hot weather and the relative spate of such instances.

The veterinary assistant said, where children are involved, owners did have to take the incident “very seriously”.

She said. “There’s no correlation between heat or dehydration of a dog and acting aggressively.

“But, like humans, if a dog is unwell, ill, in pain then it is more likely to be a bit more grumpy or change its temperament.” However, after her dog was put down last week, Teresa-Marie said people need to be ‘more understanding’ and shouldn’t judge dogs based on just one matter.