Large 'Bully-type' dog tasered and shot dead after attacking two men and police officer was 'rescued' in recent weeks

There are reports the animal was a ‘bully type’ dog who had moved into the area only two weeks ago

The Scottish Government has been told to urgently confirm when a ban on XL bully dogs would be introduced and stop “dithering”, after police tasered and shot dead a “dangerously out-of-control” dog that attacked two people in Hamilton.

The animal is reported to be a large-bully type dog. There were claims the dog moved into the area only two weeks ago.

A specialist veterinary assessment carried out on behalf of Police Scotland was unable to determine the “specific breed or history”, meaning it is not known if the animal was an XL bully.

The dog that was shot dead is reported to be a bully-style dog. Image: Jacob King/Press Association.

Officers were called to Tinto View in the town around 5pm on Tuesday.

One man was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with serious injuries. A second man who was injured by the same dog on Loudon Hill earlier in the day was also taken to University Hospital Hairmyres with minor injuries.

Police Scotland say the dog tried to attack one of its officers, and was tasered and shot dead by armed police. One eyewitness said the dog had only arrived in the area a fortnight ago.

Zeeshan Rashid, owner of the local Day Today shop, told the Daily Record: “The dog would come in to our shop most days and always seemed very well behaved. He would jump up on the counter to get his dog treat and had a little innocent face.

“He had been rescued a few weeks ago after he was beaten and abandoned. You could tell he hasn’t been treated well in the past as he was covered in scars – it’s tragic what has happened.

“I think it could have been handled better. Surely the police could have caught him and handed him to the SSPCA.”

Another local resident, Kevin Pace, saw the scene unfold from his kitchen window.

“There was a commotion outside – the dog was barking and growling and the two guys were screaming,” he said. “I think the first guy had been bitten and the other guy was trying to get him off.

“Eventually they got the dog off him but then the dog turned on his owner and grabbed hold of him and just didn’t let go. It was pretty brutal.”

Mr Pace said the dog had been on a lead at the time of the attack.

He said: “When the police arrived, they were trying to keep the owner awake because he kept slipping unconscious. He’d lost a lot of blood and had serious injuries.

“They tasered the dog once, but that didn’t work and the armed police turned up and that worked. It could’ve easily killed somebody.”

The incident has now been referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, which is standard practice whenever a firearm is discharged.

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. There will be a continued police presence in the area while our inquiries continue.”

The incident comes after the government announced plans to replicate a ban on XL bully dogs after a similar block came into force in England and Wales.

The law south of the border has banned the breeding, selling or abandoning XL bully dogs, and those who have been given a special licence to keep their dogs must keep them muzzled and on a lead while in public.

The SSPCA then said Scotland was becoming a “dumping ground” for the breed after the laws in England and Wales were introduced.

A date for when the Scottish legislation comes into force has yet to be set.

Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene said: “Horrific cases like this, which potentially involve XL bully dogs, only highlight the urgent need for dithering SNP ministers to confirm when their ban will come into force.

“They might have been forced into a humiliating U-turn last week, but they still couldn’t confirm when this ban will be in place. Further delay will only cause unnecessary confusion and potentially increase the risk of similar brutal attacks like this one occurring in our communities.”

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown told The Scotsman: “This is a distressing incident and our thoughts are with the victims of this dog attack. Such incidents illustrate the importance of responsible dog ownership and effective enforcement by local authorities and Police Scotland of relevant laws.

“Scotland already has dog control notices where local authorities have the power to put that in place. Last week I updated Parliament on the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce new safeguards in relation to XL bully dogs that will help ensure public safety.

“I also announced plans to consider how we can improve existing dog control law.”

A police spokesperson said: “The body of the dog which was shot dead by armed officers during an incident at Tinto View in Hamilton on Tuesday, January 23 was taken for specialist veterinary assessment.

“The animal is described as a large bulldog type dog, but it was not possible to establish its specific breed or history from this assessment. Enquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances of the incident.”