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A West Lothian man was allegedly 'attacked' in broad daylight while walking his dog, leaving him with a brain injury.

Mark Sutherland, 60, was out walking his partner's two Miniature Jack Russell pups at Boghead Burn in Bathgate at around 10.30am on October 3 when he was supposedly assaulted by another dog walker.

Mark's partner, Karen, alleges he asked the walker to put his dog on a lead after it came running up to him, but the person refused.

After a back and forth argument, the pair went in different directions before Mark was allegedly hit on the back of his head several times, knocking him unconscious. He then fell into the burn before being rescued by a female passer-by.

He spent a number of days in hospital before it was discovered he has a brain injury and is now walking with either a stick or crutches.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Karen said: "While on the walk, my dogs were both on the lead and another dog walker came towards him but it was off the lead and came bounding towards my partner.

"He was frightened - it was a much bigger dog. He asked the person to put the dog on the leash but he said no. The dog wasn't being vicious but it could have been.

"The guy dragged the dog away and they were walking in different directions. He then came up behind Mark and hit him with a blunt object on the back of the head several times.

"He was immediately knocked out and fell like a skittle face down into the burn. One passer-by luckily saw him and dragged him out.

"To make it worse, he has a history of heart problems. He is medically retired and this was the last thing he needed."

The 60-year-old from Armadale, had numbness down one side of his body and feared he was having a stroke.

After being told he has a brain injury, it's unclear if he will fully recover. While in hospital he had concussion and was disorientated before being sick.

Karen added: "He was in the hospital for two to three days. He had concussion but was readmitted because he became disorientated and sick.

"We now know it is a brain injury which he may or may not recover from. He is currently sensitive to light, his balance is off and he is walking with a stick or crutches. He also has constant headaches and forgetfulness."

Officers previously issued an appeal following the assault but have since confirmed inquiries have been carried out and no police action is required.

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Karen continued: "After the assault, he was really confused and wobbly so he didn't think to get her details. She had fair hair, was middle aged, wearing a green jacket and jeans. She was walking by herself.

"The really sad thing about it all is that without the statement from the witness, there isn't enough to pursue it. We are just so shocked and upset and are looking for any answers we can get.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "On Friday, 3 October, 2025, we received a report of an assault near Boghead Burn, Bathgate. Extensive enquiries were carried out and no further police action is required.

"If any new information is presented, it will be investigated."