Woman seriously injured after attack by two dogs

Police said the incident happened near Invershin in Sutherland

A woman has been seriously injured after being attacked by two XL bullies in the Highlands.

Police said emergency services were called to the scene near Invershin in Sutherland at about 13:40 on Tuesday .

The woman, age 69, was flown to hospital in Inverness. A 76-year-old man has been charged over the incident.

There were three dogs at the property. BBC Scotland News understands the two bullies were registered and legally owned, while the third dog was not a restricted breed.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Emergency services attended and the 69-year-old woman was taken to hospital by air ambulance with what are described as serious injuries.

"A 76-year-old man has been charged in connection and inquiries are ongoing."

The Scottish Ambulance Service said an ambulance along with an air ambulance and two GPs were sent to the scene.

A spokesperson said the injured woman was flown to Raigmore Hospital.

Witnesses reported a helicopter air ambulance landing on the A836.

Invershin is a small community north of the village of Bonar Bridge.

Ownership of XL Bully dogs has been restricted in Scotland since 2024

An XL bully is the largest kind of American bully dog.

The UK government published guidance to help identify XL bullies which are not a specific breed.

They are described as large dogs "with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power".

Restrictions on owning them came into force in Scotland in February 2024, following the rest of the UK.

The moves followed a number of attacks on people by the breed.

When the Conservative UK government announced the XL bully ban for England and Wales, it said the breed had been "disproportionately involved" in deaths recorded since 2021.

In several cases, XL bullies are known to have killed their owners and children.