A three-year-old boy underwent surgery after being mauled by the family’s XL Bully dog in Doncaster, UK. The incident occurred when the child climbed on the dog, leading to serious injuries.
The attacks by XL Bullies are rising in the UK and the government has announced a ban on the breed, citing several serious incidents, including fatalities.
Under new laws, owning an XL Bully is illegal unless previously registered. Dogs must be microchipped, neutered, and kept on a lead with a muzzle in public spaces.
“This family has acknowledged the change in legislation around the XL Bully and registered their dog. But this doesn’t remove the danger these dogs pose and why the ban has come into place,” Chief Inspector Emma Cheney of South Yorkshire Police told The Independent.
Chief Inspector Emma Cheney of South Yorkshire Police highlighted the risks posed by XL Bullies, stating, “All dogs can be aggressive…but some dogs have greater capability to cause harm due to their size and strength.”
Cheney emphasised the necessity of supervising children around dogs, even family pets. She urged parents to instill respect for a dog’s space and establish boundaries around feeding and resting times.
“A dog’s instinct to protect itself is to bite. Parents should ensure children learn to respect a dog’s space and be encouraged to have boundaries around feeding and resting times. An incident like this is a stark reminder that regardless of a dog’s nature, or previous interactions with children, other dogs and people, they are animals and their innate instinct is to protect themselves which can result in serious injuries and sometimes fatality. Take action now and protect your children,” she added.
Recent incidents involving XL Bullies, such as the death of 10-year-old Jack Lis and 68-year-old Esther Martin, have raised concerns about the breed’s safety.
In another incident in Battersea, south London, an XL Bully was shot dead after injuring four people, highlighting the urgency of addressing the issue.
