Dog Owner's Online Boasts Preceded Vicious Police Officer Attack
Shayla Dalligan, the owner of a Belgian Malinois dog named 'Badman Bruce,' made disturbing online boasts about the animal merely months before it launched a ferocious assault on a plain clothes detective in Deptford, London. In a video posted to her firm's Instagram page, Dalligan proudly described the five-month-old Bruce as an 'absolute unit,' showcasing the dog aggressively barking, baring its teeth, and lunging at the camera.
Vicious Mauling Leaves Officer with Physical and Psychological Scars
Just months after that social media post, on May 27 of last year, Bruce savagely bit the detective in the stomach, necessitating immediate hospital treatment. The officer, who has not been publicly named, required vaccinations and antibiotics, and still bears visible scars from the bite. In court, she described the wound as 'very painful' and recounted feeling 'helpless' during the attack, noting that Rodney King, who was in charge of Bruce at the time, did 'nothing' to intervene despite pleas from her colleague.
The detective further testified to experiencing recurring nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks, particularly when encountering Belgian Malinois dogs. She recalled the terrifying moment Bruce seemed to 'chase' her down the street after the initial mauling, leaving her traumatised and fearful.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Croydon Magistrates' Court on Friday, Rodney King, 66, received an eight-month suspended sentence for his role in the incident. King, who works as a handyman earning approximately £30 per day and resides at a scrapyard owned by the Dalligan family, accepted responsibility for being in charge of Bruce during the attack and offered an immediate apology to the detective. He was also ordered to pay £720 in compensation through monthly installments.
Judge Kumar, presiding over the case, acknowledged King's difficult personal circumstances and limited financial means but emphasised the severity of the offence. Despite Dalligan's pleas to spare Bruce from a destruction order, arguing that the dog's behaviour had improved since the attack and that he had undergone additional training, Judge Kumar ruled that Bruce be put down.
Owner's Background and Defence
Shayla Dalligan, who owns Delta Force K9s and claims to be an 'experienced dog handler with reactive dogs,' was not charged with any crime. She informed the court that Bruce, who was six months old at the time of the attack, had received 'basic training' initially but had since completed a month-long course with other trainers, including the use of an e-collar, which she asserted had 'turned him around.'
However, the court considered the earlier social media evidence, where Dalligan's celebratory post from September 2024 highlighted Bruce's aggressive behaviour, undermining her claims of the dog's rehabilitation. The case has sparked concerns about responsible pet ownership and the dangers of glorifying aggressive animals online.
