WARNING, GRAPHIC IMAGES – The dog involved in the incident still hasn’t been caught following the attack which left John with permanent scarring on his face
John Paterson from Fife faced a nightmare situation when he was ferociously attacked by an XL bully as he took his bins out on December 9. The unsuspecting 39 year old was returning to his home when the massive dog sprang at him, fiercely biting down on his cheek.
Despite John’s attempt to fend off the animal, it viciously tore into his arm before he could finally break free and find refuge in a nearby flat stairwell. The aftermath of the mauling led to an emergency dash to Forth Valley Royal Hospital, where doctors confirmed the harrowing incident would leave him scarred for life.
Adding to the horror, the dangerous XL bully, which shockingly wasn’t wearing a muzzle at the time of the attack, is still roaming at large while police desperately hunt for both the canine and its owner, reports the Daily Record.Recalling the traumatic event, John revealed: “The dog was a massive XL Bully type dog. It was with a woman and on a lead, but it wasn’t muzzled.”
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He also recounted, “I was just taking the bins out like I do every week when it flew at me. It got up on its back legs and stood the full height of me before it latched on to my face.”
Describing the pain, he said, “It’s teeth hooked right into me. I could feel them inside my face.”
As he defended himself, the dog continued its assault: “I put my arms up straight away to protect myself and then it slipped down and sunk its teeth into my arm.”
John agonised as he tried to get the owner to intervene: “I shouted at the woman to get it off me. She was trying to pull on the lead but she was physically unable to control the dog.”
Eventually, he escaped and called out for help: “Eventually, I was able to get away and I ran inside the flats to call for help.”
Reflecting on his hospital care John said, “I was taken to A&E at Forth Valley Hospital. They stitched my face and told me I’ll be have permanent scarring.”
John has spoken of his horror after being set upon by a savage dog in what was supposed to be the safety of his local play area. The attack, which occurred in broad daylight, left him shaken and fearful for the children who frequently play in the vicinity.
He expressed his terror: “It it terrifying that this dog is still on the loose. I am desperate for the police to trace it and woman so nobody else gets hurt.”
John added anxiously, “The police came round today but they haven’t got any updates yet.”
The thought of the menacing canine without a muzzle on the streets was enough to make John on edge: “Hopefully they will catch it soon because that type of dog running about without a muzzle is terrifying.”
He described the incident as a brush with an “aggressive, vicious creature,” noting the potential danger if a child or a more vulnerable person were targeted: “If it targets a child, or anyone more vulnerable than me it could be a very different situation.”
Making a plea for preventative measures, John insisted: “More need to be done to make sure these dogs are wearing muzzles if they are out in public.”
He concluded with a critical observation of pet owners: “Clearly owners aren’t taking it seriously enough if these incidents are still happening.”
Authorities at scotland>Police Scotland have confirmed that they are investigating the mauling. Detailing their response, a spokesperson revealed: “Around 3.10pm on Sunday, 8 December, 2024, police received a report of a man being bitten by a dog in Toll Road, Kincardine. The man aged 39, was taken to hospital. Enquiries are ongoing.”
This frightening event follows shortly after the tragic death of Michelle McLeod, 41, who was mauled to death by her American Bulldog in Aberdeen.
Despite emergency services rushing to McLeod’s residence on Foresterhill Road following distressing reports of a serious dog attack, she tragically succumbed to her injuries at her home.
It emerged that Michelle was actually up against charges when she passed away because the same animal had attacked a Border Collie. The victim’s owner, Klaudia Jackowska, recalled the harrowing episode, saying: “I heard my partner scream. I ran out to see what was happening and I saw the dog on top of my dog” and “I jumped on top of it and we fought for 15 minutes to get it off my dog.”