Dog attacks in Scotland reached a record high in 2025, with police called out to 880 incidents—an average of more than two a day. The figure marks a significant rise from the previous year, according to figures recently revealed.
Victims include a young woman whose face was ripped, a mother left scarred for life, a young boy mauled in a park, and a puppy savaged to death. Some people have been left permanently disfigured, while others have lost beloved family pets, the Daily Record reports.
Attack on Tanya Kanstantsinava
Tanya Kanstantsinava, 38, was on her way home after visiting shops when a Bully-type dog leapt on her and tackled her to the ground on September 5 last year. The dog pounced afterwards and sank its teeth into her neck after its owner allegedly instructed it to attack the mum on her doorstep in Coatbridge.
As the creature latched onto Tanya, her 14-year-old daughter ran out to help but was bitten on the lip. The incident ended when Tanya's partner, Andrejs, forced the dog's jaws open to free her.
Tanya told the Record: "It was agonising and terrifying. As I was entering our building, without warning, the dog attacked. I was knocked to the ground and bitten multiple times across my face and neck."
"My daughter witnessed me on the ground and tried to help but it ended up going for her. She was screaming and her lip was left hanging off. There was blood everywhere and we were screaming, it was traumatising. If it wasn't for Andrejs, I'm not sure I'd be here today - the dog had my neck in its mouth. He saved my life and I'm lucky to be alive."
Treacle the Beagle-cross killed
Beagle-cross Treacle was out walking with owner Andrew Little on June 20 this year when she was "mauled to death". Andrew, 39, broke a bone in his hand during the attack. He and wife Kate, 33, had moved into their new home in Glasgow's Robroyston just three weeks before.
Andrew had taken dogs Treacle and Bonnie out at around 8pm and was close to home when the incident unfolded. He said: "I had walked 400 yards when I saw a big dog, so I crossed the road just in case. Then I realised it was off its lead, and within about 15 seconds, this big massive thing started to run towards us."
"I shouted to the owner, and within 20 seconds it had grabbed onto my dog and ripped her undercarriage off. Her intestines and everything were exposed." The owner of the Bullmastiff eventually stepped in and "put the dog in a chokehold" to get it to let go. Andrew called Kate before holding Treacle's wound together with a towel as they took her to the vet.
Despite their best efforts, vets were unable to save Treacle and she had to be put down. According to Andrew and Kate, the vets said around half of Treacle's organs were left exposed for too long after being ripped out of her body. Andrew said: "No words can amount to how much Treacle was loved and the immeasurable impact she had on our lives. There is absolutely no excuse or reason that Treacle's life should have ended in such a horrifically violent way."
The dad was taken to hospital and treated for a broken left hand, and given a tetanus shot in case he had been bitten or scratched by the Bullmastiff. He admitted he has been left feeling "helpless" since.
Samantha Redding's horror attack
Samantha Redding, 20, had been around a Spanish mastiff crossed with a bear-headed Akita, which belonged to her friend's dad, since it was young and said she had never known it to be aggressive. But during a brief visit to the house in January, the huge dog suddenly latched onto her face.
Samantha, of Falkirk, remembers little of the attack beyond seeing the animal coming towards her, hearing it growl and feeling excruciating pain. She said: "I went to my friend's dad's house to get her but she'd already left to meet me at my house. I was only in the house for about 10 minutes and I was getting ready to leave."
"I went to pick up my bag and the dog latched onto my face. The dog had never been nippy to me before. I actually can't remember much from then except the dog growling and then the pain. Then I heard everyone shouting. I can't remember how the dog got off. All I can remember is turning round after and seeing my face in the mirror and thinking my life was over."
Samantha managed to flee the house while covering her bloodied face before being taken to hospital. But she said the physical scars are only part of the devastating impact the attack has had on her life. She said: "My whole life has been affected by those 10 minutes."
