A large and aggressive dog of the XL Bully-type breed was killed by police officers after it mauled two men in a town near Glasgow on Tuesday evening. One of the victims suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, while the other was treated for minor wounds.
Dog rescued from England went out of control
The incident happened around 5pm on Tinto View, a residential street in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. According to witnesses, the dog had been rescued from England by a local man, who was walking it without a leash or a muzzle. The animal suddenly turned violent and attacked a man who was passing by, leaving him with severe injuries to his arm and leg. The dog owner tried to intervene, but the dog bit him as well.
Armed police arrived and shot the dog
The police were alerted to the situation and arrived at the scene with armed officers. They found the dog still on the loose and posing a threat to the public. The dog attempted to attack one of the officers, who fired a shot and killed it. The officer was not injured.
Victim in hospital with serious injuries
The first victim of the dog attack was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he received treatment for his serious injuries. His current condition is unknown. The second victim, the dog owner, was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride for minor injuries. He was later released.
Breed of the dog under investigation
The breed of the dog involved in the attack is not confirmed, but it is believed to be an XL Bully-type, a cross between an American Pit Bull Terrier and a Mastiff. This breed is not banned in Scotland, unlike in England, where it is classified as a dangerous dog and subject to strict regulations. The Scottish Government has not announced any plans to ban or restrict the breed, despite calls from animal welfare groups and victims of dog attacks.
Police refer the incident to PIRC
As a firearm was discharged during the response to the incident, the police have referred the matter to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), as per the standard procedure. The PIRC will examine the circumstances and the justification for the use of lethal force by the officer.
Superintendent Steven Espie, who is in charge of the police operation, said: “This was a distressing incident for those involved. I would like to reassure the local community that this was a contained incident and there is no further risk to the public. There will be a continued police presence in the area while our enquiries continue. Enquiries are also ongoing to establish the breed of the dog.”
