Dog attacks in Scotland have reached a record high, with figures released last week showing more than two canine attacks on average every day in 2025. Police recorded 880 call-outs, a significant rise from the previous year. The attacks have left some people permanently disfigured and others have lost beloved family pets.
Woman attacked outside her home in Coatbridge
Tanya Kanstantsinava, 38, was returning home from the shops on Friday, September 5, 2025, when a Bully-type dog leapt on her and tackled her to the ground. The dog sank its teeth into her neck after its owner allegedly instructed it to attack the mother on her doorstep in Coatbridge. As the dog latched onto Tanya, her 14-year-old daughter ran out from their home to help but was bitten on the lip.
The ordeal 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." She added: "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." Tanya said Andrejs saved her life: "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."
Boy injured at birthday party in Leith Links
Nicholas Quintero suffered facial injuries after a dog lunged at him while he and his family attended a surprise birthday party at Leith Links. His mother, Maria Cedeno, recalled singing Happy Birthday before hearing screams and finding blood gushing from her son's face. Maria said Nick pointed to a Bulldog-type dog as she removed him from the park and called an ambulance. Medics arrived and police were later alerted.
Maria claims the dog's owners attempted to hide the incident from police and initially denied wrongdoing. Nick was rushed to hospital and later returned for surgery due to the severity of his facial injuries. Maria, from Saughton, said: "I'm thankful the dog couldn't properly get a hold of him or he could have lost half his face."
Family pet mauled to death in Glasgow
Beagle-cross Treacle was out walking with owner Andrew Little on Saturday, June 20, 2026, 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 home in Glasgow's Robroyston just three weeks before. Andrew had taken Treacle and Bonnie out along Daffodil Drive at around 8pm when a large dog ran towards them.
Andrew 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." The Bullmastiff's owner eventually intervened and "put the dog in a chokehold" to release Treacle. Despite efforts at the vet, Treacle had to be put down. 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." Andrew was treated in hospital for a broken left hand and given a tetanus shot.
Woman's face mauled by Spanish mastiff cross
Samantha Redding, 20, from Falkirk, was attacked by a Spanish mastiff crossed with a bear-headed Akita that belonged to her friend's father. During a brief visit in January, the dog suddenly latched onto her face. Samantha told creatorzine.com: "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." She added: "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." Samantha fled the house covering her bloodied face and was taken to hospital. She said: "My whole life has been affected by those ten minutes."
