A Glasgow man has been left with horrific injuries after a dog savaged his face during a house party.
Riaz Michael Devine believes the animal "snapped" when the large crowd started to form at the flat gathering.
The 31-year-old says he had known the usually friendly bulldog cross for many years before the attack, and says it reacted to the busy and loud environment in its usually calm home, the Daily Record reports.
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The frightening incident unfolded when Riaz, who lives in Tollcross, attended the party at a flat on the south side of the city on October 23.
The make-up artist explained: "I know this dog and he is usually so placid and friendly, but as more and more people were coming in to the flat he became anxious.
"He wasn't acting distressed, but he began sitting away from everyone and he became reserved. I went over to clap him and give him a cuddle and that's when he snapped."
Riaz was horrified to see the extent of his injuries and he was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where doctors inserted weight-bearing structures into his face to hold up his collapsed flesh.
He said: "I froze when I saw the bottom half of my lip hanging off. Blood was pouring down my face.
"I panicked. I was crying and screaming for an ambulance.
"The doctors said I was lucky I got to the hospital so fast because the damaged tissue was fresh, but my injuries will take months to heal.
"Right now I'm so swollen and sore and I'm worried I might be left permanently disfigured."
Now he has appealed to dog owners and their friends to respect their space in situations that aren't the norm.
He added: "This attack has had such a massive impact on my life. I'm a make-up artist so I usually spend all my time in front of mirrors, but the way I look at the moment is a massive dent to my confidence. I can't stand anyone face looking at my face.
"I was supposed to start a new job and I've had to delay my start date.
"I know this dog and he usually has such a lovely nature. This was totally out of character for him and it happened so quick.
"He shouldn't have been in an environment where people were drinking and it was rowdy.
"Dogs are animals at the end of the day. We can't communicate with them, so making them feel uncomfortable in their safe space will never end well. This could have been avoided and the whole situation is so sad."
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