A Scots make-up artist left with horrific injuries after a friend's dog ripped his face apart at a house party has issued a stark warning about giving anxious animals their space.
Riaz Michael Devine, 31, told how the bulldog cross, who has he known for many years, savaged his face and left his lip hanging off when he was at gathering at a flat in the south side of Glasgow on October 23.
Riaz, from Tollcross, said he believes the pet 'snapped' at him after it became nervous about the large crowd forming in its home.
Following the horrific attack, Riaz is now warning pet owners to consider how stressful environments can trigger aggression in dogs.
Riaz said: "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 left shocked by the animal's sudden attack and was horrified to realise the extent of his injuries after running to a nearby mirror.
He added: "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."
Riaz was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where doctors inserted weight-bearing structures into his face to hold up his collapsed flesh.
He explained: "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."
As Riaz recovers from his ordeal, he wants other owners and those spending time around pets to be respectful of animals needing their own space in situations that aren't natural to them.
He continued: "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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