Home / Disasters and Accidents / Akita Dog Mauls 9-Year-Old, Leaving Him Severely Injured
Akita Dog Mauls 9-Year-Old, Leaving Him Severely Injured
18 Aug
Summary
- 9-year-old boy attacked by Akita dog, suffered gash and puncture wounds
- Incident occurred at friend's home in Bellshill, Lanarkshire
- Dog's owner had to pull pet off boy after it pinned him to the ground
- Case being investigated by North Lanarkshire Council
On August 11, 2025, a 9-year-old boy named Zander Coyle was playing at a friend's home in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, when he was allegedly attacked by an Akita dog. According to Zander's father, Alex, the powerfully built animal turned on the child and pinned him to the ground, leaving him with a gash to the head and puncture wounds to the back and side of his neck.
The dog's owner, the friend's father, had to intervene and pull the pet off Zander. The injured boy was then rushed to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Scotland, where doctors treated his wounds and provided him with antibiotics to prevent infection.
The case is now being investigated by North Lanarkshire Council, which has the authority to seek a court order to have the dog put down. A council dog warden has already met with Alex Coyle and is scheduled to speak with the dog's owners as well.
Alex Coyle does not blame the owners but is concerned that another child could be attacked while a decision is made about the dog's future. Zander has been left deeply traumatized by the incident and is now afraid to go near any dogs.
