Woman in Hospital with Serious Injuries After Dog Attack in Highlands

A woman in her late sixties has been left with serious injuries following a dog attack in the Scottish Highlands involving three dogs, including at least two XL Bullies.

Emergency services were called to the scene near Invershin in Sutherland at around 1:40 pm, where the 69-year-old victim was found in need of urgent medical assistance. She was airlifted to the hospital by helicopter.

Police Scotland have confirmed that a 76-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. A spokesperson for the force stated: “Emergency services attended and the 69-year-old woman was taken to hospital by air ambulance with what are described as serious injuries. A 76-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection and inquiries are ongoing.”

Witnesses in the area reported seeing an air ambulance land on the A836 road during the emergency response. Invershin, a small rural community situated north of Bonar Bridge, has been described as shaken by the incident.

It has been reported that two of the dogs involved were XL Bullies, a type of American bully known for its large size and muscular build. Though not recognised as a specific breed, they have become subject to restrictions following a rise in serious and fatal incidents involving the animals.

In Scotland, controls on XL Bullies came into effect in February 2024, several weeks after similar measures were rolled out across England and Wales. These restrictions include mandatory muzzling in public and a requirement for owners to register their dogs. The UK Government, under the previous Conservative administration, cited evidence that the breed had been “disproportionately involved” in fatal dog attacks since 2021.

Tragically, there have been numerous reports in recent years of XL Bullies turning on their owners, as well as attacking children, a trend that contributed to the decision to tighten regulations across the UK. Critics have argued that more needs to be done to ensure laws are enforced effectively, particularly in rural and isolated communities where oversight may be limited.

The current Labour government has yet to set out any substantial new measures to address ongoing safety concerns surrounding dangerous dogs. With public concern growing over the frequency of attacks, many will be watching closely to see whether the issue is given the attention it deserves.

The condition of the woman remains unknown at the time of writing. Police inquiries into the incident are continuing.