A mother and her daughter sustained permanent injuries after a dog viciously attacked them as they were returning home from shopping. Tanya Kanstantsinava, 37, was ambushed by a bully-type dog on September 5 in Coatbridge, Scotland. The dog lunged at her, causing severe wounds to her neck as she reached her doorstep.
In a frantic attempt to rescue her mother, Tanya’s 14-year-old daughter intervened and was also bitten on the lip by the aggressive dog. The attack only ceased when Tanya’s partner, Andrejs, forcibly opened the dog’s jaws to release her.
Recounting the harrowing experience to the Daily Record, Tanya described the sudden and terrifying assault that left her with multiple bites on her face and neck. Her daughter, witnessing the ordeal, suffered a serious injury to her lip in the process.
Both victims were promptly taken to Monklands Hospital and later transferred to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment. Tanya received stitches for deep cuts on her neck, nose, and chin, while her daughter underwent emergency surgery to repair her severely injured lip.
The disturbing scene of the attack was captured in images showing the visible bite marks on Tanya’s neck and chin, with traces of blood on the walls of their residence. Tanya, who had previously reported the dog’s aggressive behavior to the council, expressed fear and trauma, stating that they now feel mentally and physically scarred for life.
Following the incident, the 28-year-old dog owner was arrested and charged, then released on bail. The dog was confiscated by the authorities, with ongoing investigations into the attack. Police Scotland confirmed the incident and the subsequent actions taken, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
North Lanarkshire Council responded to the incident, stating that any attack involving a dog falls under the jurisdiction of Police Scotland initially, followed by potential involvement from the council under dog control regulations. They acknowledged a prior complaint from Tanya regarding the aggressive behavior of the neighbor’s dog, which had been addressed by the Dog Warden at that time.
The council’s spokesperson mentioned that a warning had been issued to the dog owner based on Tanya’s complaint, with no further incidents reported until the recent tragic attack. Cooperation between the council and law enforcement is ongoing to address the aftermath of the distressing event.