Sister of Shropshire teenager killed by cousin's XL bully says family still has 'so many unanswered questions'

The mother of a Shropshire teenager who was killed by a dangerous dog said her death “has cast a shadow over everything” and “will stay with us forever”.

Morgan Dorsett, 19, was attacked by an XL bully dog owned by her dog Kelcie Reed in a flat in Bristol on February 26 last year.

Miss Dorsett, who was from Minsterley in Shropshire, suffered fatal bites to her neck and head.

Reed, 24, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.

At Bristol Crown Court this week she received an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with a nine-month mental health treatment requirement.

In a victim impact statement, Miss Dorsett’s mother Marie Smith said she could not put into words how her eldest daughter’s death had impacted the whole family.

“Morgan’s death has affected our family so deeply that it’s difficult to even put into words who she was and what we lost,” she said.

“Morgan’s death has cast a shadow over everything. It has changed my life and the lives of their siblings in ways that will never fully heal.”

Ms Smith said every major family milestone was “tainted” without her daughter.

“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 it will stay with us forever,” she added.

Miss Dorsett’s younger sister, Caeila Dorsett, said her family had many unanswered questions about what happened.

“This loss has not only affected me, but our entire family,” she said in a victim impact statement.

“We continue to live with so many unanswered questions, which makes it incredibly difficult to find any sense of peace.

“I hope that one day we receive the answers we need to begin to move forward.”

Sarah Regan, defending, said Reed had developed PTSD since the incident and was also caring for her nine-month-old baby.

She added: “She is genuinely remorseful and she has lost someone she genuinely loved.”

Reed appeared emotional throughout the proceedings and wept in the dock as she was sentenced.

She was also banned from keeping dogs for 15 years.

Detective Sergeant Rich Glanville, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: “Morgan’s family have shown great courage despite experiencing such a terrible loss and we want to thank them for their patience and support through what’s been a really tough 18 months for them, while our investigation and court proceedings took place.

“It’s truly devastating that not only have they lost a loved one, but that Reed has not given them the answers about what happened that night – answers they deserve to have.

“This was a completely avoidable tragedy and was caused because Reed failed to have control over a dangerous breed of dog.”