XL bully dogs will be banned by end of the year, Rishi Sunak confirms

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that the American XL bully dog will be banned by the end of the year following a series of attacks this month.

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This comes after a recent dog attack which left an 11-year-old girl with serious injuries.

Ana Paun suffered shoulder and arm injuries in the attack by an American bully XL and Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed puppy in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, last Saturday (9 September).

Two other men were also injured in the attack after the dog broke free from its collar twice.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: “A 60-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out of control.

“He has been bailed with conditions while inquiries continue.”

And earlier today (15 September) the West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed that a man was fatally attacked by two dogs in Staffordshire.

Emergency services were called to Main Street in Stonnall, just after 3pm on Thursday (14 September), after the man was left seriously injured.

The ambulance service later confirmed that the man did not survive the brutal attack.

A spokesman said on Friday morning (15 September): “Upon arrival we found a man who had sustained multiple life-threatening injuries and was in a critical condition.

“Ambulance staff administered advanced life support and advanced trauma care to him at the scene.

“Treatment continued en route to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was conveyed by land ambulance for further treatment.

“Unfortunately, after arrival at hospital, despite the best efforts it became clear that nothing more could be done to save him (and) he was confirmed deceased.”

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Sunak said in an announcement video posted on social media: "The American XL Bully Dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children.

"I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen.

"Yesterday we saw another suspected XL Bully Dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

"It's clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs.

"It's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.

"While owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public.

"Today I have tasked ministers to bring together police and experts to firstly define the breed of dog behind these attacks, with a view to then outlawing it.

"It is not currently a breed defined in law, so this vital first step must happen fast.

"We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.

"These dogs are dangerous.

"I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe."