William Gauley jailed over dog attack in Glasgow that left police officer scarred for life

A police officer was left scarred for life after being attacked by two ‘dangerously out of control’ dogs during an altercation with a man in Glasgow.

William Gauley, who was armed with a knife and meat cleaver, instructed the Bullmastiffs to pounce on the officers as they tried to arrest his brother.

The 27-year-old has been jailed for over two years over the incident that took place in Easterhouse on October 10 last year.

As his brother was being arrested Gauley appeared holding the weapons above his head and stated: “What do you think of this?” before releasing dogs, Boston and Shadow, and shouting “f****** get them”.

One officer suffered three bites on the thigh, leaving him requiring eight or nine stitches, while another was bitten once and police dog Diesel was also attacked during the melee.

Gauley then threw the meat cleaver towards the officers, narrowly missing one, before being Tasered and arrested.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday, Gauley pled guilty to assaulting constables Ryan Plunkett, Martin O’Neill and David Craig.

He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, being in charge of a dogs that were dangerously out of control as well as the unlawful possession of a knife and meat cleaver in a public place.

Sheriff Iain Fleming also jailed Gauley for 27 months and disqualified him from owning a dog for four-and-a-half years.

An order was also made for the dogs to be destroyed.

The court heard officers were dealing with Gauley’s brother before he appeared at the front door of his property.

Prosecutor Carrie Stevens said: “He brandished a ‘Rambo-style knife’ and a meat cleaver.

“He brandished them above his head and shouted to police ‘What do you think of this?’ before releasing two dogs.

“Gauley moved towards them with the weapons before a taser strike forced him to fall to the floor.”

Ms Stevens added: “During the arrest of his brother, PC Plunkett received three bites from white and tan dog, Boston, in the inner thigh area resulting in several wounds.

“He was treated with eight or nine stitches and will leave permanent scarring.”

The officer also suffered a tooth puncture to his thigh and a bite mark was cleared.

Ms Stevens added: “PC O’Neill was bitten to the rear right thigh by the other dog, Shadow.

“Both Shadow and Boston attacked police dog, Diesel, that was in attendance, biting it.”

Batons were used to free themselves and Diesel from the dogs who then tried to bite PCs Martin Bannerman and Thomas Canning.

Shadow and Boston were transported to kennels were they remain to this day.