Pictured: Mother, 41, mauled to death by ‘her own dog’ at Aberdeen flat as her ‘devastated’ family pay tribute

Police have released the name of a mother who was mauled to death ‘by her own dog’ at home. 

Michelle McLeod, 41, was pronounced dead in a flat on Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen after emergency services were raced there at around 11.15pm on Saturday.

The mother’s heartbroken family have now paid tribute to her, and revealed their devastation.  

Police Scotland have confirmed the dog – whose breed has not been confirmed – had been euthanised.

In a statement, Ms McLeod’s loved ones said: ‘We are devastated by the loss of Michelle.

‘She was a much-loved mother, daughter and friend to many and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

‘We would like to ask that our privacy is respected and allow us to grieve at this very difficult time.’

Neighbours expressed their shock at the incident, with one telling the Scottish Sun they thought Mr McLeod had a connection with her pet, which she is believed to have gotten less than a year ago. 

‘I always thought the dog had a bond with her’, they said. 

Ms McLeod was pronounced dead in a flat on Foresterhill Road in Aberdeen on Saturday

Neighbours said that they were shocked over the death of the 41-year-old (pictured) 

Another added that the flat was ‘never going to be enough for a dog that size’ and claimed the animal was walked once a day. 

The incident is the latest in a series of dog attacks that have resulted in death in the UK this year.

According to the Office for National Statistics there were 16 deaths due to dog attacks in 2023, a sharp rise from preceding years when the number had been in single figures.

In February it became a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a certificate.

It is also now an offence to sell or abandon an XL Bully Dog, or to let it stray, and it is  illegal to have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle. 

Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are considered to be breaking the law, and penalties including prison time, disqualification from ownership or euthanasia of the dog can be enforced.