West Lothian dog professional attacked during meet and greet

A West Lothian dog walker and behaviourist was left with severe bruising after being bitten during a meet and greet with a potential new client.

Kalliopi Tingilidou visited a home in Broxburn to have a meet with an owner and their three dogs, but despite wearing protective leggings she was bitten on the thigh, which left bruising and a cut.

She told Edinburgh Live that the owner of the dog has ignored her calls for the animals to be muzzled and has sent “threatening messages” after she shared her story online.

She added: “The following day, I learnt about an attack on a Westie by the dogs and I knew I had to do something about it. He is dangerous as an owner.

“Even though I got bitten twice he kept claiming that the dog is ok and claimed the dog was walked by a young child. When I said the dogs should not be walked by a child, he laughed at me. I keep waking up every morning praying that they haven’t harmed any child or vulnerable individual. I can’t live with myself knowing that I didn’t do something about it.”

Kalliopi has contacted police over the incident.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland told Edinburgh Live: “Officers carried out enquiries and the matter was referred to the dog warden.”