A dog walker was left covered in blood after being attacked by a couple who attempted to steal her dog.
Gayle Smillie was walking her four dogs when a woman tried to take Tilly, one of her miniature Dachshunds.
The 34-year-old woman was repeatedly hit with a strap during the horrifying incident which left her battered and bleeding.
Ms Smillie and her four miniature Dachshunds managed to escape following the attack in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, this week.
The woman, from Wishaw, told the Daily Record she walks in that particular area every day and had never experienced any issues before.
Ms Smillie, who walks dogs for a living, said: "I was walking up with my four dogs when I saw a man and a woman; they were just standing talking.
"She walked past me and then she tried to take my girl, Tilly. They didn't try and get any of the boys it was Tilly they wanted.
"She grabbed her and tried to run and then I went after her. She was trying to strap Tilly's legs.
"When I managed to get Tilly back, she started hitting me with the strap. I was shouting because I thought there must be someone around to help me.
"My other dogs were running with me and when I got Tilly back, I just ran and didn't look back."
The attack took place at the town's Perchy Pond, close to where she lives.
She added: "I went up there about 3.30pm - it's quieter then as a lot of people are picking their kids up from school.
"I'm a dog walker and have never had any issues, but I suppose all it takes is one person.
"Thankfully I met a man who was out walking his collie.
"He put his dog in his car and walked me down to my home and made sure I was okay."
Ms Smillie described both attackers as being in their late 20s, with neither speaking English.
The man was around 6ft and wearing all black, while the woman was approximately 5ft 6in, wearing skinny jeans, white trainers and a black jacket.
The dog owner is now recuperating at home after her ordeal.
She added: "One of my dog walking clients is a nurse so she came down and patched me up. I didn't want to go to hospital and leave the dogs.
"Tilly is 10 so she's an old dear. She's very quiet at the moment but I called the vet and she's told me to keep an eye on her.
"I just want people to be aware before they go up there. It's not going to put me off going up to the Perchy but I'll be watching what I'm doing."
Lanarkshire Live made Police Scotland aware of the incident. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101. Information can be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
