Man’s Desperate Escape from Savage XL Bully Attack as Bystander Intervenes

The Attack and Intervention:

McCafferty and his girlfriend were walking when a large dog named Zeus attacked him, clamping onto his leg and dragging him along the grass.

A passerby eventually intervened by pouring water over the dog, ending the assault.

Owner’s Action and Stabbing:

During the attack, the dog’s owner, William Hunter, reportedly stabbed the animal.

The dog, believed to have been abandoned and rescued, was later shot dead by the police.

Footage Inside Shop:

Footage emerged showing the XL Bully inside a shop, leaning over the counter as if begging for treats.

The shop owner, Zeeshan Rashid, describes the dog as having been abandoned before being rescued, with scars on its face.

Shop Owner’s Perspective:

Rashid, the shop owner, believes the police shooting the dog was excessive, suggesting tranquilization as an alternative in such situations.

He notes the owner is still in the hospital, and the dog had been well cared for.

Police Statement and Ongoing Inquiries:

Police Scotland states that the dog’s body underwent veterinary assessment, describing it as a large bulldog-type.

Inquiries into the incident are ongoing, and the case has been reported to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

New Safeguards for XL Bullies in Scotland:

In response to an influx of XL bullies following changes in English law, the Scottish Government plans new safeguards.

The first phase makes it an offense to sell, abandon, give away, or breed XL bullies, with regulations requiring them to be leashed and muzzled in public.

The second phase introduces an exemption index for owners.

Potential Legal Amendments:

The Scottish Government acknowledges the need for potential improvements to the 2010 Control of Dogs Act, aiming to enhance the preventative dog control notice scheme.

The date for official implementation of the new XL Bully regulations is yet to be confirmed.

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