A 55-year-old father of five has died after being attacked by a large bulldog-type dog he was caring for at his boarding kennels in Kirkton of Auchterhouse, near Dundee. Adam Watts, owner of Juniper Kennels and Cattery, was pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday despite the efforts of emergency services.
The dog rescue group Save Our Seized Dogs paid tribute to Mr Watts, describing him as a 'hero' who 'died doing what he loved'. The group posted on Facebook: 'Adam would take any dog to give them the chance of life and was the kennels of choice for the police in Dundee. His gentle, calm nature soon gained the trust of some of the most abused dogs.'
Mr Watts leaves behind five sons, including four teenagers and a 10-year-old. Their mother, Eileen, died from cancer in 2013. Mr Watts and his son Charlie had raised thousands of pounds for charity in her memory through walks in Tayside and Fife.
Jayne Dendle, who worked with Mr Watts through her dog seizure non-profit, told BBC Scotland: 'He was one of the world's gems. He never saw a dog as a bad dog - it was always the dog had had a bad upbringing. He would give a dog every chance he could.'
Police Scotland said the death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal. The breed of dog involved has not yet been disclosed.
