A bully canine shot useless by police after it launched a savage attack on two males was “joyful and begging for treats” moments before it turned.
The canine, referred to as Zeus, can be seen in CCTV footage shared completely with the Record as he enters a neighborhood store along with his proprietor.
In the clip, Zeus is proven wagging his tail and leaping as much as the counter earlier than he’s fed a biscuit.
(Image: Daily Record)
His proprietor – named regionally as William Hunter – can also be seen patting the dog’s head.
The video, taken simply earlier than 5pm Tuesday, was captured simply minutes earlier than Zeus mauled Hunter and one other man on two separate Hamilton streets.
Hunter, believed to be in his late 40s, was attacked on Tinto View within the city. He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with severe decrease limb accidents. His present situation is unknown.
A second man was additionally attacked by Zeus minutes earlier, on close by Loudonhill View. He was taken to Hairmyres Hospital and handled for minor accidents.
(Image: Daily Record)
Local Day Today shopkeeper Numan Saifi spoke of his shock on the occasions that unfolded after Zeus left the shop.
He mentioned: “Zeus was in right here along with his proprietor simply earlier than the attack. I can not imagine this has occurred.
“He all the time appeared calm and pleasant.”
Shop proprietor Zeeshan Rashid was additionally left shaken on the information and mentioned Hunter had rescued Zeus from England simply two weeks earlier after a ban on XL bullies was imposed down south.
He mentioned: “The canine would come into our store most days and all the time appeared very nicely behaved.
“He would soar up on the counter to get his canine treats and had a bit harmless face.
(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
“He had been rescued just a few weeks in the past after he was overwhelmed and deserted.”
“You might inform he hasn’t been handled nicely up to now as a result of he was lined in scars. It’s tragic that this has occurred.”
The males additionally shared footage of Zeus’s second sufferer limping into their store after the horror attack.
Numan added: “He came in here after it happened. He was in shock.”
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(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Locals later instructed how Zeus was stabbed a number of instances and even tasered by cops earlier than armed police have been pressured to shoot him in a bid to save lots of Hunter’s life.
One native, who requested to not be named, mentioned: “A knife was thrown to the proprietor to attempt to kill the canine. He stabbed it nevertheless it did not make any distinction.”
Another eyewitness, named Kevin, mentioned: “I heard numerous commotion and appeared out the window to see two males wrestling with the canine.
“It was an enormous canine, most likely about eight or 9 stone. It had maintain of one of many guys and would not let go.
“They have been hitting it with stuff and shouting at it to cease, nevertheless it was so distressed and indignant.
“There was blood in every single place. The proprietor was lined in blood. His legs, arms and wrists appeared badly injured.
“I phoned the police and after they got here the canine was nonetheless attacking anybody who went close to it. One of the blokes managed to get away however the proprietor was nonetheless being attacked.
“Police confirmed up and tasered him however he nonetheless would not cease.Then armed police then got here and he was shot 4 instances. The first 2 photographs did not take him out.
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“It was terrible to witness, however I do know why they needed to do it. If he hadn’t been killed, he would have killed somebody.”
Police Scotland confirmed the canine was shot useless by specialist armed cops after it additionally tried to attack an officer.
The circumstances will now be referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) as a result of a firearm was discharged in the course of the response to the incident.
Superintendent Steven Espie mentioned: “This was a distressing incident for these concerned. I want to reassure the local people that this was a contained incident and there’s no additional threat to the general public.
(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
“There will be a continued police presence in the area while our enquiries continue. Enquiries are also ongoing to establish the breed of the dog.”
Tight restrictions have been imposed on XL bullies in England in December after a spate of stunning assaults hit the headlines, with a few of these reported leading to dying. It is now unlawful for the dogs to be bred, bought, or re-homed and so they have to be saved on a lead and muzzled when in public. From February 1, it will likely be unlawful to personal an unregistered XL bully.
First Minister Humza Yousaf had beforehand refused to repeat the ban however was pressured right into a U-turn when an inflow of the dogs have been transported to Scotland to be rescued into properties right here.
The Scottish Government confirmed it could additionally implement the crackdown on January 18.
A date for the ban has not but been set.
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