Glasgow woman 'traumatised' after 'XL bully' dogs kill chihuahua in attack

A woman’s chihuahua was killed after being ripped from her arms in a “traumatic” attack by two “XL bully-type” dogs.

Abby Mackinnon had been walking her pet Gizmo on Monday near her home on Finnart Street in the Bridgeton area of Glasgow when two large dogs set upon them.

She said the owner of the dogs had one on a lead and harness while the other was not before the incident shortly after 4pm on March 18.

The 25-year-old told STV News that the dog, which had been off its lead, approached her and Gizmo from behind, frightening the chihuahua initially, before it biting at his tail and pinning him down.

Ms Mackinnon tried to free Gizmo from the dog’s grip.

Abby said that she has been left 'traumatised' by the 'terrifying' attack — Abby said that she has been left ‘traumatised’ by the ‘terrifying’ attack Abby Mackinnon

Recalling the “terrifying” ordeal, she said: “I picked him up, I’m turning away to keep Gizmo away and the dog jumped up and bit me on the back and pulled Gizmo away from me out of his harness.”

Ms Mackinnon said she was “screaming for help” but the owner did not help.

“I’m trying to open the dog’s mouth while he’s biting into Gizmo, but I couldn’t get him,” she said, “That’s when I saw his wee tongue had turned a light pink colour and I knew that he had passed away.”

Gizmo died after he was attacked by two 'XL bully' type dogs — Gizmo died after he was attacked by two ‘XL bully’ type dogs Abby Mackinnon

The owner of the large dogs then pulled a harness from his pocket and managed to get the dog under control.

She ran, with Gizmo in her arms, to retrieve her phone, which she had dropped in the attack, and hid in a nearby garden until a passerby came to her aid and drove her home.

“I still feel in shock, I feel so frustrated because it was so easily avoidable,” she said.

She added that she doesn’t feel anger towards the breed.

“No matter what the breed is, it’s the owner’s responsibility to keep their dog under control.

Abby was bitten on the back as she tried to rescue Gizmo Abby Mackinnon

“You can never be too cautious with your dog, or if you don’t feel comfortable, go with your instincts and put them on a leash.”

Since the incident, Ms Mackinnon has said that she has struggled to come to terms with the attack.

She said when she tries to sleep she can “hear” and “see” the incident happening all over again.

“It’s traumatic,” she said.

It has been reported locally that this incident involved XL bully type dogs, however this has yet to be confirmed and enquiries remain ongoing, police said.

Sergeant Bobby Fisher said: “We are appealing for anyone with information on this incident, or any local residents with potential video doorbell footage from Finnart Street and the surrounding areas, to please come forward.

“You can contact police on 101, quoting incident 2505 of March 18, 2024.”

The incident occurred almost a month after restrictions around XL bully dogs came into force in Scotland in February.

From Friday, February 21, owners are no longer allowed to breed, sell, exchange, gift, abandon or allow the dogs to stray.

It is still legal for current owners to keep their pets but they must be muzzled and on a lead when in public.

The new restrictions will be met with even tougher ones from August 1.

From then it will become an offence to own an XL bully without an exemption or having applied for an exemption.

Owners will have to pay to apply for an exemption and the Scottish Government said details of the scheme will be announced in the coming weeks.

Anyone convicted of breaching the new safeguards could face up to six months behind bars and/or a fine of up to £5,000.