A Glenrothes couple were injured while saving their pet from an alleged dog attack.
Suzanne and Alex Forsyth, of Willow Crescent, claim they were hurt trying to protect 12-year-old cross-breed Milly after she was set upon by a neighbourhood dog on Saturday night.
Fife police confirmed a man had been charged in connection with the incident.
Milly sustained cuts and tears in the attack and her owners estimate she will need around £600 worth of veterinary treatment.
Mrs Forsyth (42) sustained deep puncture wounds on her arm and had to be given a course of antibiotics to prevent infection. Mr Forsyth (46) was left with bruises.
Recovering at home, Mrs Forsyth said the incident happened while they were walking Milly at around 11.30pm.
She said: ”Milly’s got numerous injuries, mostly bites and tear wounds. She had to get stitched up on her sides and one paw is quite badly damaged. She has a minimum of nine bite wounds and some are worse than others. ‘If that had been a small dog or a child, it doesn’t bear thinking about.
”So far we’ve spent £420 at the vet, but we’ll probably end up spending around £600. She’s going to pull through, which is a relief considering she’s 12 and is quite an old dog.”
Police were called and officers called for an ambulance to attend. Paramedics treated Mrs Forsyth at the scene and dressed her wounds.
The couple’s daughters Georgia (14) and Caitlin (16), and Caitlin’s boyfriend Craig, were also there at the time.
”There are witnesses because neighbours came out to help in their jammies after they heard the kids screaming. However, one neighbour told us to keep the noise down,” Mrs Forsyth said.
”Milly’s not her usual self. She’s not been outside yet, but to be honest I don’t want to take her outside in case that dog’s still around. There’s no way I’m putting her through that again at her age.
”I’m really sore and I had to go back into hospital for antibiotics. I’ve got large puncture wounds that go right into my wrist. I got X-rays because I was sore along the bone.”
Police said: ”Following an incident in Glenrothes on Saturday night a man has been charged under section three of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”