'Large bulldog-type' dog shot dead by police after attacking Collie in East Kilbride
Officers attended Mannering on Sunday morning and attempted to restrain the dog, which police described as "dangerously out of control".
Monday 19 February 2024 15:09, UK
A teenager will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal after armed police shot dead a "dangerously out of control" bulldog-type dog that attacked a Collie.
Three people sustained minor injuries during the incident in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, on Sunday morning.
Officers said they were called to a report of a large bulldog-type dog attacking a Collie dog in Mannering at around 10.25am.
Local police attended and attempted to restrain the animal, which was described as "dangerously out of control".
Armed officers went to the scene and the dog was shot dead.
Police Scotland said an 18-year-old woman would be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with offences relating to the Dangerous Dog Act.
A force spokesperson said: "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the breed of dog and there will be a continued police presence in the area while enquiries continue.
"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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The incident comes just days before the introduction of the first phase of the Scottish government's new restrictions on XL bully dogs.
From Friday - subject to parliamentary approval - all XL bully dogs in Scotland must be kept on a lead and muzzled when out in public.
It will also be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift or abandon the dogs.
Read more:
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The second phase, which will make it a criminal offence to own an unlicensed XL bully dog without an exemption certificate, is expected to come into force on 1 August.
Anyone convicted of breaching the rules could face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.
On Monday, community safety minister Siobhian Brown said: "With new safeguards for XL bully dogs coming into force in just a few days it's vital that owners get ready and prepare for them now.
"While dog attacks remain a rare occurrence, where they do occur, they can have devastating consequences which is why safeguards must be introduced."
She added: "The new regulations aim to protect public safety and are being introduced as a consequence of similar XL bully controls brought in by the UK government, which created an unacceptable risk of dogs being moved to Scotland from England and Wales."