Disabled Scots army veteran beaten with metal pole by two thugs while walking dog

George MacDonald, 60, was attacked in an unprovoked assault in a graveyard in Arbroath as he walked his German Shepherd.

A disabled veteran was beaten with a metal pole by two thugs who launched an unprovoked attack as he walked his dog.

George MacDonald was set upon by two men in East Graveyard, in Arbroath, as he walked his German Shepherd Kaiser just after 6am on August 9.

The 60-year-old told how he was attacked moments after Kaiser had been playing with another off-the-lead dog.

George claims he retrieved Kaiser and 'apologised' to the owner after the two dogs were running and barking together, but was met with verbal abuse.

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Moments later, he claims the dog walker and another man, who appeared from a car armed with a metal pole, struck him with the weapon and a dog ball thrower.

George, who uses a walking stick, was knocked unconscious during the attack and left with cuts and bruises to his arm and back.

He told the Record:"I can't walk Kaiser there now, I'm in fear of my life.

"I was smashed in the face with a pet ball launcher and it knocked my glasses off my face.

"Kasier ran about 10ft away from us because he was frightened.

"Then these two men hit me with a metal pole and the dog launcher and knocked me out.

"I'm only 5ft 7 and I walk with a stick. They were around 6ft.

"I've been left with cuts and bruises to my back, arms and stomach. I've damaged my neck too."

George served time in the army as a physical training instructor from 1981 until 1993 in Edinburgh, West Germany, Northern Ireland, Berlin, Glasgow, Cambridge and Belize.

He was medically discharged due to damaged ligaments, tendons and muscles in his leg and has walked with a walking stick since.

Since being discharged from the Army, George has suffered PTSD and claims the attack has intensified his mental health issues.

He currently receives treatment from Veterans First Point in Dundee, an organisation that provides veterans with advice and support. Following the attack, he has also enrolled Kaiser in K-9 family protection training, in a bid to stay safe in the future.

The two men allegedly involved in the attack are believed to have been walking dogs in the area. The first male is described as white, about 6ft tall with short brown hair, a stocky build and spoke with a local accent.

He was seen wearing a black t-shirt with writing on it – possibly a heavy metal rock band name – and grey joggers.

The second male is described as white, over 6ft with short brown hair, pale complexion, thin build and wearing a light blue tracksuit top and bottoms.

Police Scotland have not made any arrests.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.20pm on Saturday, 10 August, 2024, officers received a report of an assault in the Brechin Road area of Arbroath. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting crime reference CR/295295/24.

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