Dominic Smithers
A murder investigation has been launched after a man was attacked by a suspected XL bully.
Paramedics raced to Shiney Row in Sunderland after a man suffered injuries to his throat during the attack at around 6.55pm yesterday (3 October) evening.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Northumbria Police said the 54-year-old man died and that his family have been notified.
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Another man, 44, was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Following the victim's death, he was re-arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
The dog was shot by police at the scene 'to ensure the safety of the public', the force said.
“While further assessment will be carried out, officers believe the dog to be an XL bully breed,” the force added.
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Linda Blyth, who lives close to where the attack happened, saw paramedics working on the injured man on a grassy area behind her home.
She told PA: “We were told ‘go in, shut your doors’ and then I heard the gun shot.”
“I don’t know what set the dog off, everyone is speculating."
Recalling the horrifying scenes, she said: “It was awful to see, you don’t expect it on your doorstep.”
Police assured residents that the situation was under control and there was no wider threat.
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Another neighbour, who wished not to be named, said they often saw two XL bullies being walked in the area.
"I heard a girl screaming for the police, saying the man was dying," he said of the attack.
“The man got put in the ambulance and they were working on him here for about 10 minutes before they set off.
“I have seen the two dogs before, they are well known in the area, an older one and a younger one.
“They shot the older one in the yard.”
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This comes after it was announced XL bullies would be banned in the UK following a spate of attacks.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that he would be pushing for the matter to be dealt with later this year.
He said: "The American XL Bully Dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children.
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"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."