Court Puts Bite On Princess

Princess Anne, a royal who has tried to lead a normal life, stood in court like any commoner Thursday and owned up to allowing her dog to run loose and attack two children.

She was fined $785. The judge spared the life of her bull terrier, Dotty, but warned that the animal must undergo training and be kept on a leash in public places for the rest of her life.

The case is the first time in the modern age that a senior member of the British royal family has been convicted of a criminal offense.

Royal watchers said the conviction proves the monarchy is not above the law and would be a boost for the family's popularity following the damaging revelations in recent weeks by former royal butler Paul Burrell.

But the family of the two children thought Anne got off lightly.

"We do not think justice has been done," they said in a statement. "The dog is still free and is a danger to society."

Court orders forbid the identification of the family.

Anne admitted violating the Dangerous Dogs Act during the hearing at East Berkshire Magistrates Court in Slough, 20 miles west of London. Prosecutors dropped the same charge against her husband, Commodore Tim Laurence.

The 52-year-old princess — who appeared on court lists as Anne Elizabeth Alice Laurence — was accompanied to the hearing by her husband and her children, Zara, 21, and Peter, 23.

Anne has sought to lead as normal a life as possible while fulfilling her royal duties. She rejected the titles due to Zara and Peter as grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II and was praised for making them carry out everyday tasks such as making their own beds.

In contrast to her brother, Prince Charles — who reportedly has servants to squeeze his toothpaste and retrieve his custom-made suits off the floor — Anne was sometimes mocked for shopping at Marks & Spencer, a mid-range department chain known for sensible clothes.

The princess, who wore a red pleated skirt, white blouse and blue blazer to court, stood while District Judge Penelope Hewitt passed sentence. Anne was also ordered to pay $390 compensation and $230 court costs.

The offense carried a maximum penalty of $7,900 fine and six months' imprisonment.

"I consider that the owners are extremely responsible and if an order is made I have no doubt they will adhere to it," Hewitt said. "It nevertheless is a big responsibility and they have to be aware that if anything goes wrong, if there is another repeat of what happened on Easter Monday then that is the end of it."

Prosecutors described how the dog bit the two children, 7 and 12, as they walked in Windsor Great Park near Windsor Castle on April 1.

Prosecutor Anthony Smith said Anne and her husband were returning to their car from a walk in the private grounds of the park when 3-year-old Dotty chased and jumped at the children, who were cycling in the public area.

The 12-year-old was bitten on the collarbone and twice on his left leg, while the 7-year-old had scratches on his right forearm, back and left leg.

Smith said the princess apologized for her dog's behavior and drove the children to a hospital.

Canine psychologist Roger Mugford told the court that Dotty should not be killed and described her as "an utterly placid, playful dog."

Anne has been in court before, most recently last year, for speeding.

Charles I was the last monarch to be the subject of a court hearing. He was tried for treason in 1649 and executed.

Lord St. John of Fawsley, an oft-quoted expert on Britain's unwritten constitution, said Anne's conviction made an important point.

"Many people mistakenly believe that members of the royal family have special privilege. They do not and they have to follow the law and pay their taxes like anyone else," he said.

"If I were asked to advise the royal family on this matter ... I would say stick to the corgis, they're much more docile and only occasionally nip curtseying ladies-in-waiting on the ankle."