A two-year-old boy was left bleeding and shaken after a dog attacked him at a bus station in Hamilton, Scotland. The incident happened on Friday, January 26, 2024, around 3.30 pm, when the boy and his mother were walking through the station.
Dog owner did not apologise or help
The boy’s mother, Chloe Goodwin, said that the dog, which she described as a bull terrier-type, started growling at her son as they passed by. She said the dog then pounced on the boy and bit his face, leaving a wound that required stitches. She managed to pull the boy away from the dog, but the owner did not apologise or help them. She said the owner just watched the attack and walked away.
Chloe said she was terrified for her son’s life and took him to the hospital, where he was treated for his injury. She said the boy was traumatised by the attack and did not want to go outside or see any dogs. She also said she was angry and upset that the dog owner did not show any remorse or responsibility.
Police are investigating the attack
Chloe reported the attack to the police, who said they were carrying out enquiries. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a dog attack in Brandon Street, Hamilton, on Friday, January 26, 2024. Enquiries are at an early stage.”
Chloe also shared her story on a local community group on social media, where she received messages of support and sympathy from other residents. She urged people to be cautious and vigilant around dogs and their owners, and to report any incidents to the authorities.
Dog attacks are a serious issue in Scotland
The attack on the toddler is not an isolated case, as dog attacks are a serious issue in Scotland. According to the latest figures from the NHS, there were 2,472 hospital admissions due to dog bites or strikes in Scotland in 2020-21, an increase of 7% from the previous year. Of these, 522 were children under the age of 10, and 113 were under the age of one.
The Scottish Government has introduced several measures to tackle the problem of dangerous dogs, such as the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, which gives local authorities the power to impose dog control notices on irresponsible owners. However, some campaigners and animal welfare groups have called for more action, such as mandatory microchipping, licensing, and insurance for all dogs, as well as stricter penalties for owners who fail to control their dogs.
