Dogsey

A HERO great-grandfather has died from injuries he suffered while rescuing his wife from a dog attack.

Ninety-year-old Andrew Russell’s skin was ripped from his arm when he was bitten by an American bulldog during a walk with his wife, Dorothy, on September 20.

The previously fit and healthy pensioner was hailed a hero for intervening when the animal broke free from its owner and knocked Mrs Russell to the ground in West Calder’s Main Street.

He wrestled the dog to protect his wife but received horrific injuries when he put his arm up to save himself.

Mr Russell initially made good progress at St John’s Hospital in Livingston after a successful skin graft, but last week, after being moved to the rehabilitation ward, his condition deteriorated and he died on Friday afternoon.

Mr Russell’s family have been left devastated by the death of the popular great-grandfather, who celebrated his 90th birthday just a fortnight before the incident.

His grandson, Ryan Irvine, 40, said: “I am 100 per cent confident that had the dog attack not happened, then he would have been at home right now.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that his death was caused by that.”

A woman is facing two charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act in connection with the attack, and the dog – which is not a banned breed – has been seized by police. Lee Campbell, 34, appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court last month.