Woman, 41, dies after being mauled by a dog in flat

A woman has died after being mauled by a dog in a flat in Aberdeen.

Emergency services were called to Foresterhill Road in Aberdeen on Saturday night, but the 41-year-old, who hasn’t been identified by police, died at the scene.

Police Scotland said the dog – whose breed is not yet known – has been destroyed.

The force said it is investigating the attack.

A spokesperson added: ‘Police received a report that a woman had been seriously injured by a dog within a flat.

‘Emergency services attended but the 41-year-old woman died at the scene.

‘Inquiries into the incident are ongoing. The dog has since been euthanised.’

The news emerged just days after a man was mauled to death by a banned pitbull terrier in east London in a separate case.

The dog killed 42-year-old Akif Mustaq in a second-floor flat in Stratford shortly before 4.30am last Wednesday, Barkingside Magistrates’ Court was told on Friday.

Leanne McDonnell, 32, appeared at the court last week accused of owning or being in charge of the dog – named Prince.

She is also accused of having custody of a fighting dog that is banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Ms McDonnell, from Shirley Road, Stratford, is further charged with three counts of owning or being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog without causing injury on 18 November.

The mother-of-three did not enter any pleas and was granted conditional bail to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 6 January.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 16 people were killed in dog attacks in 2023.

This represents a sharp rise from preceding years where the number had been in single figures.

The rise and several high-profile killings involving American Bully XL dogs led to the breed being banned in England and Wales in 2023.

This extended to Scotland in February – making it illegal to own one without an exemption certificate.

Anyone caught breaking the rules faces a fine of up to £5,000 and/or up to six months in prison.

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