Dog attack leaves man in hospital as police say beast was not XL Bully

A man was left in hospital after a vicious dog bit him in a brutal attack - with witnesses claiming they could hear the animal barking as it was taken away by riot police.

The 40-year-old had to be taken away by emergency services from his home in Auchterarder, a small town between Perth and Stirling, to have his wounds treated after the mauling yesterday evening.

The dog, which police have said was not an XL Bully, was removed from the scene and taken to Fair City Vets in Perth to be put down at around noon today, with officers waiting outside for three hours. 

Two riot vans and a police dog unit arrived in the town to pick up the animal, with lights flashing and sirens ringing. 

Four officers emerged from the vehicles carrying riot shields and dog control poles. The dog was later euthanised.

Auchterarder has a population of just 5,900 and is the home of the luxury Gleneagles Hotel.

The victim was released from hospital after treatment, The Sun reports. 

A witness said that they heard barking from the back of the van.

They said: 'It appeared and sounded as though police were trying to a control a dog in the back of the police van, which had reversed in the car park at the front of the vets.

'A vet was also seen waiting to be able to administer treatment or injection to the dog.

'It also looked like officers were removing a dog into a court yard at the rear of the vets and then back into the van.'

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 6.40pm on Friday, 23 February, 2024 we received a report of a man having been injured by a dog at an address on Eagle Avenue, Auchterarder.

'The 40-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment and later released.

'The dog was removed from the property and taken to be euthanised.'