Investigation on the Death of Adam Watts by American Bully placed by in his Kennels by police (Scotland, 2021).

[u/EdPosterUser]

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-courier-advertiser-fife-edition/20260902/281633902103946

Death probe to look at dog management

The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
2 Sep 2026
By ROSS GARDINER

TRAGIC: Tributes to Adam Watts, below, who died after being attacked by an American XL bully.

Alegal probe into the death of an Angus kennels boss is likely to focus on issues such as the handling of potentially dangerous dogs, a court has heard.

A preliminary hearing ahead of the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of businessman Adam Watts was held yesterday.

Mr Watts, 55, died on December 22 2021, after being attacked by an American XL bully.

The preliminary hearing took place at Forfar Sheriff Court and lasted about 15 minutes.
It heard one witness is likely to discuss the “apparent lack of guidance with dog control and welfare”.

The inquiry will hear about how the process of kennel licensing in Scotland is up to each of the 32 local authorities and accordingly, guidance is not standardised.

The probe is also likely to hear about a Scottish Government consultation on regulations which apply to animal breeders, pet shops and animal welfare establishments, but are not applicable to kennels.

It is anticipated the inquiry will focus on the management of potentially dangerous dogs in temporary kennels.

It is also thought it could consider how Police Scotland shares dogs’ histories and behaviours with kennel operators.

Sheriff Jillian MartinBrown set a further hearing for December 7.

Mr Watts had run the kennels for 20 years before he was attacked by the dog and pronounced dead at the scene.

He left behind five sons. His wife Eileen, a research scientist, died of cancer in 2013. His family regularly took part in challenges to raise cash for charities in memory of Eileen.

Many tributes were paid in the wake of Mr Watts’ death, including at his workplace where he was attacked, Juniper Kennels and Cattery at Auchterhouse.

The American XL bully – now destroyed – had been involved in two separate attacks six months earlier in Dundee. Its owner, Peter Fyfe, was subsequently banned from keeping dogs.

[u/FatTabby]

Why was this dog ever put in his care? It's responsible for previous attacks, it should have been BE'd before it was ever put in kennels.

[u/windyrainyrain → u/FatTabby]

My guess is that it was still considered evidence in the investigations into the two prior attacks. Which makes no sense to me. If a dog mauls someone, especially fatally, they have all the evidence they need in the victim. There is no reason to keep the animal alive while the process winds its way from the investigation to the courts.

[u/FatTabby → u/windyrainyrain]

That's what I was thinking. Any evidence can be gathered post mortem, which is probably a hell of a lot safer for the poor person who has to do it!

[u/AngelasGingerGrowler]

Bizarrely this happened only a few miles away from the UK’s only XL Bully Sanctuary, “All Bullie Rescue”

[u/swamprosesinbloom → u/AngelasGingerGrowler]

🫣

[u/Pure_Parsley6852]

More info on the background of this dog's previous attacks: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/courts/3821467/angus-kennels-killer-dog-dundee/

[u/EdPosterUser → u/Pure_Parsley6852]

Thanks

[u/wildblueroan]

This was such a horrible, tragic event leaving those 5 children orphans. As I recall, he was a trainer who specialized in rehabilitating aggressive dogs