An XL Bully canine was shot lifeless by police after it attacked two males simply moments after showing “happy and begging for treats” in a store.
CCTV footage exhibits bully canine Zeus wagging its tail moments earlier than lunging at his proprietor and a member of the general public. Owner William Hunter has since expressed his shock on the assault that left him with critical decrease limb accidents and one other man with minor accidents.
William is seen patting Zeus’s head within the clip taken shortly earlier than 5pm on Tuesday, simply minutes earlier than the canine attacked within the retailer in Hamilton, Scotland.
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Hunter, considered in his late 40s, had rescued Zeus from England solely two weeks prior, following a ban on XL bullies, the Daily Record reported.
(Image: Daily Record)
Local shopkeeper Numan Saifi expressed his shock on the occasions, saying: “Zeus was in here with his owner just before the attack. I can’t believe this has happened. He always seemed calm and friendly.”
Shop proprietor Zeeshan Rashid recalled: “The dog would come into our shop most days and always seemed very well behaved.
“He would leap up on the counter to get his canine treats and had slightly harmless face. He had been rescued a couple of weeks in the past after he was crushed and deserted. You may inform he hasn’t been handled properly up to now as a result of he was coated in scars. It’s tragic that this has occurred.”
Video footage showed Zeus’s second victim hobbling into their shop after the terrifying attack. Numan added: “He got here in right here after it occurred. He was in shock.”
(Image: Daily Record)
Locals later revealed that Zeus was stabbed a number of occasions and even tasered by cops earlier than armed forces needed to shoot him to save lots of Hunter’s life.
One resident, wishing to stay nameless, stated: “A knife was thrown to the owner to try and kill the dog. He stabbed it but it didn’t make any difference.” Another witness, referred to as Kevin, recounted: “I heard a lot of commotion and looked out the window to see two men wrestling with the dog.”
“It was a big dog, probably about eight or nine stone. It had hold of one of the guys and wouldn’t let go,” stated one other witness. “They were hitting it with stuff and shouting at it to stop, but it was so distressed and angry. There was blood everywhere. The owner was covered in blood. His legs, hands and wrists looked 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 fellows 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 occasions. The first two pictures did not take him out. If he hadn’t been killed, he would have killed somebody.”
(Image: Daily Record)
Police Scotland’s Superintendent Steven Espie confirmed the canine was shot lifeless after it tried to assault an officer, and added: “This was a distressing incident for those involved. I would like to reassure the local community that this was a contained incident and there is no further risk to the public.
“There will probably be a continued police presence within the space whereas our enquiries proceed. Enquiries are additionally ongoing to determine the breed of the canine.”
Strict rules were put in place for XL bullies in December following a series of horrifying attacks. It is now against the law to breed, sell or rehome these dogs, and they must be leashed and muzzled in public. From February 1, owning an unregistered XL bully will also be illegal. Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf confirmed a crackdown would be implemented on January 18. No date is set for the ban.
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