Glasgow family's heartbreak after pet dog attacked

Mark Lagan had been walking his two dogs Nemo and Simba – both Shih Tzu, Yorkie crosses – in Knightswood on Sunday when the incident took place.

Nemo and Simba (Image: Mark Lagan)He told the Glasgow Times that they were on their way home when a larger dog ‘came out of nowhere’ and began attacking three-year-old Nemo.

Nemo's injuries (Image: Mark Lagan)Mark said: “This dog came flying through the gate of a house further down the street, it just came from nowhere.

“I thought it was maybe just going to come over and bark or something but it just went straight for Nemo and started attacking him.

“I tried to lift Nemo, I grabbed him by the harness to pull him up and put him under my arm but the dog had bit into his back.

“He was pulled back out of my arms. At this point, I was just screaming for help and Nemo was yelping like mad.

“The dog’s owner came out and my two ran away. Once we got back to the house I saw the damage that had been done.

“Nemo had blood pouring out of his chest and a big open wound. I phoned the animal hospital straight away, it was traumatic.”

Nemo was rushed to The University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital in Bearsden where he received 12 stitches to the wounds on his chest. He is now back resting at home.

Mark explained that the vet told him Nemo was “very lucky” to have survived.

One of Nemo's injuries (Image: Mark Lagan)He went on to add that he believes it’ll be months before Nemo is “back to normal”.

The family has also raised concerns over the long-term impact the attack may have on him.

Nemo (Image: Mark Lagan)Mark added: “It was a completely unprovoked attack. It might not be a dog next time which worries me.

“Before I had a dog I thought ‘It’s just a pet’ but now that I’ve got Nemo and Simba I consider them as my family.

“The vet said he was lucky to survive because of the wounds being on his chest.

"It’ll take weeks if not months for him to recover, it’ll be a long time for him to heal and get back to normal.

“We don’t know how he is going to be with other dogs after this. It was horrible.

"We’ve spent nearly £900 on vet bills so far but you don’t think about the money in the moment it’s just about making sure he is okay.”

It is understood that this incident has been reported to the dog warden.