A man is fighting for his life in hospital after an XL Bully dog attacked him and another man in a street in Scotland.
The “out-of-control” dog was shot dead by armed police after the man suffered “life-threatening injuries” in the area of Tinto View, Hamilton, Scotland.
Police say the incident took place at around 5pm and the man was taken to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.
Just minutes before the serious attack, the dog had injured another man in Loudonhill Avenue, the next street along.
The ‘out-of-control’ dog was shot dead by armed police after the man suffered ‘life-threatening injuries’ in the area of Tinto View, Hamilton, Scotland. (Stock image of XL Bully)
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He was transferred to Hairmyres Hospital in nearby East Kilbride for “minor injuries”.
The force say armed police were sent to the scene as the dog was “dangerously out of control” and had attacked one of their officers in attendance.
Superintendent Steven Espie 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.
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“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.”
Police Scotland has referred itself to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) – Scotland’s version of the IOPC – as is standard procedure with the discharge of any firearms.
It follows a mass shipping of XL Bully type dogs from England and Wales to Scotland following the introduction of control measures at the end of December.
XL Bullies have been hit with new restrictions, which were enforced on December 31, following a spate of fatal attacks.
It is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon the dogs or let them stray.
Discussing the influx of XL Bully dogs flowing into Scotland, first minister Humza Yousaf announced a ban on the breed that will “in essence replicate” the UK Government’s legislation.
He said at First Minister’s Questions earlier this month: “What has become clear – I’m afraid – in the last few weeks, is we have seen a flow of XL Bully dogs coming to Scotland.”
