Three people have denied involvement in an incident which allegedly saw a boy of nine attacked and injured by a rottweiler.

Maurice Farrell (37) of Crawford Crescent, Barmill, Graham Hume (26) of Mains Road, Beith and Marsha Gibson (23) of The Dykes, Kilbirnie all pleaded not guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Thursday.

It was claimed by the procurator fiscal depute that Farrell was in charge of the dog on June 7 at or near an address in The Dykes when it got out of control, jumped on top of the youngster, knocked him to the ground and repeatedly bit him to his injury. For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.