'XL Bully-type' dog dragged woman off sofa through home scarring her for life

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

A woman was left scarred for life after an XL bully-type dog clamped onto her foot and dragged her for several metres through her home.

Elaine Hughes screamed in agony as the powerful American bulldog bit into her foot and pulled her from a sofa not the ground before dragging her across the floor.

She and Iain Martin - who was looking after the dog for a jailed friend - were unable to overpower the dog as it carried out the unprovoked and sustained attack.

When the dog eventually eased its grip slightly, Ms Hughes was able to slide her foot out of her slipper and the dog - Patch - walked off with the slipper in his mouth.

At Perth Sheriff Court, today jobless Martin, 38, admitted being in charge of a dog while it was dangerously out of control at 24 Catmoor Crescent, Scone, on 4 March 2023.

He admitted letting the dog attack Ms Hughes by biting her foot, dragging her around by the foot to her severe injury and to her permanent disfigurement.

Fiscal depute Duncan McKenzie told the court: "Patch was an American bulldog, which other witnesses described as an XL bully or an American pitbull. He was one or two years old.

"On 4 March 2023, Martin came to visit Ms Hughes at home. Patch was initially fine and well-behaved, but after 30 minutes Patch walked over to Ms Hughes and bit her right foot.

"Martin began to shout let go, but that made Patch bite harder. It began pulling her foot with enough force to pull her from the sofa.

"It began dragging her towards the kitchen a few metres away. Her foot was still in the dog's mouth. She was in absolute agony. She was wearing a slipper and when the dog released pressure slightly she pulled her foot out of the slipper.

"Patch took the slipper away. Throughout this, Martin was shouting at Patch to let go. He put Patch in the kitchen and Ms Hughes arranged a lift to Perth Royal Infirmary.

"She sustained significant swelling and bruising to her right foot. The wound was cleaned and she needed a tetanus shot, antibiotics and painkillers. There were two puncture wounds, half a centimetre deep.

"She has been left with noticeable scarring on her right foot as a result. She still suffers from pain and a loss of sensation," the fiscal depute said.

"She feels self-conscious about exposing the scar, so that prevents her from wearing certain styles of footwear. The dog control officer at Perth and Kinross Council is supportive of the opinion the dog should be destroyed."

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

The court was told that the dog - which remains in kennels funded by the police and Crown Office since March 2023 - could never be rehomed as it was dangerous.

Martin, who has a previous conviction for causing death by dangerous driving in 2005, had sentence deferred for the preparation of social work reports. Sheriff Alison McKay granted bail and deferred consideration of destruction and disqualification orders.

Sheriff McKay noted that Martin, Myrtle Road, Scone, was not the owner of the dog and said she would make a ruling on its destruction at a future calling of the case.

She said: "It's an aggravated offence because someone was injured. The owner of the dog might be entitled to be heard and make representations to the court."

She asked Martin "are we boring you?" as he yawned repeatedly in the dock and said tha he felt like he was about to fall asleep as he listened to the background being narrated.

He pled guilty to the charge as he changed his plea shortly before going on trial before a jury. A second charge - that the same dog attacked and seriously injured Martin himself a week later - was dropped by the Crown.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.