A bulldog-type dog that attacked two men and attempted to attack a police officer was shot four times.
Armed police were called to the Tinto View area of Hamilton on Tuesday, January 23 at around 5pm following reports of a large dog attacking people.
Emergency services rushed one man to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to be treated for serious injuries.
The “dangerously out of control” animals was shot four times by armed police after it attempted to attack an officer, an eye witness told STV News.
Another man who was attacked by the dog on Loudonhill Avenue, shortly before the incident on Tinto View, was taken to Hairmyres Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
CCTV footage showed a man limping into a nearby shop at around 5.25pm, appearing to check a bloody wound on his lower leg.
The man then retreated further into the back of the shop following the attack.
Kevin Pace, an eyewitness to the incident on Tinto View, told STV News: “Two guys were on the dog at the time.
“I phoned the police, other people phoned them as well and when they arrived they tried to approach it (dog).
“They cleared the area, they weren’t having it. They tried to taser it and that didn’t work.
“Eventually armed police had to be called and they put it down with four shots.”
Police described the incident as “distressing”.
The dog’s body was taken for specialist veterinary assessment, but police said it was not possible to establish its specific breed or history.
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 enquiries continue.
“Enquiries are also ongoing to establish the breed of the dog.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland added: “A firearm was discharged during the response to this incident.
“As with any firearm discharge, the circumstances of the incident will be referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).”
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