A man has been left too scared to leave his home after being savagely attacked by a Golden Retriever in a Scots park.
Jamie Nicholson needed a tetanus jag and butterfly stitches after the dog tore chunks from his hand during a stroll on Saturday, May 17.
He had been walking through Jock Stein Centre Park in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, with his partner and puppy before the unleashed hound charged towards them.
It appeared intent on attacking their eight-month-old Rottador puppy, Bau, but ended up savaging Jamie's hand when he stepped in.
Recounting the violent ordeal, Jamie told the Record: "We were at a safe distance from any other dogs in the area before it bolted from one side of the pitch towards us.
"It ran up to my pup and within seconds, it started growling at him. It was absolutely huge - probably about twice the size of Bau.
"When it attempted to attack him, my partner pulled our pup behind his legs so the Retriever couldn't get to him.
"It then lunged at my partner, pulled him to the ground and was on top of him. It was seconds away from sinking its teeth into my partner's face before I grabbed it by the harness to pull it back.
"As I did that, it sunk its teeth into my hands and wrist and I've been left with two punctures."
Blood was spurting from Jamie's wounds and onto his clothes after the attack, with even his trainers and socks soaked.
Images show inch-deep bites on his hands and wrists - which he says are still aching days after the attack took place.
Now, Jamie wants owners to understand that any dog has the potential to cause harm to others when the animals are not on a lead.
The 30-year-old said: "It goes to show that it doesn't matter what breed the dog is, if it is out of your control, it has the potential to be aggressive.
"It was traumatic and terrifying - this dog was a family dog and that's what Golden Retrievers are known for as a breed.
"Dog owners need to be aware of their surroundings and others shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
"I'm a grown man and you can see the damage that has been done to me, a child wouldn't have stood a chance."
While he hopes to raise awareness of violent behaviour among all breeds, Jay told how the event set him back mentally - admitting he is even suffering from night tremors.
The dog owner believes if he had not stepped in, his puppy and partner would have both been mauled.
"I already suffer from anxiety and struggle to leave my home on a normal day but this has really set me back," Jamie said.
"I definitely don't want to go back to that park and if I do, it is going to take a lot of work. It's only five minutes from my home.
"I have been struggling to sleep and when I do, I will wake with a jolt in cold sweats and the first thing I do is look over to see if Bau is okay.
"If I hadn't stepped in, my pup and my partner could have been mauled. I will take the bites and punctures over that happening any day."
Officers from Police Scotland confirmed that they are investigating the attack and enquiries remain ongoing.
A spokesperson for the force said: “ On Sunday, 29 May police received a report of a dog attack from the previous evening in a park in Hamilton.
"One dog attacked another and an owner received a bite injury and attended Accident and Emergency.
"Enquiries are ongoing.”
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