A Scottish army veteran with disabilities was brutally beaten with a metal pole by two assailants while out walking his dog. George MacDonald, aged 60, was subjected to an unprovoked assault at East Graveyard in Arbroath as he was accompanied by his German Shepherd named Kaiser. The shocking incident occurred at around 6am on August 9, just moments after Kaiser had been playing with another off-the-lead dog.
According to George, he retrieved Kaiser and expressed apologies to the other dog’s owner after the playful interaction, but instead of de-escalating, he faced verbal abuse. The situation quickly escalated when one of the men, along with a companion who emerged from a car armed with a metal pole, proceeded to physically assault George using the weapon and a dog ball thrower. The attack left George, who uses a walking stick, unconscious with cuts and bruises on his arm and back.
Reflecting on the traumatic event, George expressed his fear, stating, “I can’t walk Kaiser there now, I’m in fear of my life.” Recounting the violence he endured, George described being struck in the face with a pet ball launcher, leading to his glasses being knocked off, while Kaiser ran away in fear. The attackers then used a metal pole and the dog launcher to assault him, causing further injuries.
Having served in the army as a physical training instructor from 1981 to 1993 across various locations, George was medically discharged due to leg injuries, leading to his reliance on a walking stick. In addition to physical wounds, the attack exacerbated his existing PTSD, intensifying his mental health challenges. Currently receiving support from Veterans First Point in Dundee, George has also taken measures to enhance his safety, enrolling Kaiser in K-9 family protection training.
The two suspects involved in the assault were believed to be walking dogs in the area. Descriptions provided identified one as white, approximately 6ft tall, with a stocky build, short brown hair, and a local accent. He was reported wearing a black t-shirt with possible rock band-related text and grey joggers. The second suspect was described as white, over 6ft tall, with short brown hair, a pale complexion, and a thin build, clad in a light blue tracksuit.
Police Scotland confirmed being alerted to the incident on August 10 and stated that investigations are ongoing. They urged anyone with information to come forward by contacting 101, quoting crime reference CR/295295/24. The community has rallied behind George, offering support and solidarity as he continues to recover from the harrowing attack.