Latest news with #DangerousDogsAct
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
XL bully ban 'is failing' as attacks still rife despite hundreds of dogs put down
The RSPCA has released new data from police forces across the UK as it calls on the government to overhaul the Dangerous Dogs Act with a more modern approach The XL bully ban is "failing" with fatal and severe attacks persisting - despite authorities having seized thousands of suspected banned dogs, the RSPCA has warned. Hundreds of dogs have been euthanised under the ban, according to new data obtained from UK police forces by the charity. But almost two years on, attacks are still rife with another 12 people killed by dogs to date, including a 10-year-old girl. Seven-month-old Elle Doherty was killed by her family's Belgian Malinois pet after it bit her on the head in Coventry in June last year. But of those 12, eight were killed by XL bullies, and another three were mauled to death by bull breeds, including pit bulls and bullmastiffs. And three more horrific attacks were reported across the country last week alone. It comes after a boy, 5, is murdered by kidnappers because his mum couldn't pay £39 ransom. A seven-year-old boy was left needing surgery after being attacked by his family's XL bully in Doncaster, South Yorks, while neighbours in Fleetwood, Lancs had to fight off an XL bully with a machete after it mauled a woman in her 40s. In Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, a man was forced to jump over a fence and into a river to escape the jaws of another XL bully, police said. The ban, which began at the end of 2023 following a Mirror campaign, forced XL bully owners to register their dog for an exemption certificate and to muzzle them in public places. The new law also made it illegal to breed, sell, advertise or give away an XL bully. Now the RSPCA is calling on ministers to conduct a 'full and in-depth' review of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which was first passed 34 years ago this August. Under the Act, a dog can be seized if it is a prohibited type - namely an XL bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino or Fila Brasileiro. The charity is urging the Government to 'prioritise an approach that encourages responsible dog ownership', adding that individual breed bans do not work. RSPCA data shows 1,035 dogs were seized as suspected banned types during 2024. But the charity said the true figures will be much higher, with only 19 of the 43 police forces across the UK having responded to its request for information. Of those seized last year more than 65 percent (674) were assessed and identified as XL bullies. The five police forces reporting the highest number of seized dogs were Leicestershire (192 dogs, including 177 XL bullies), Nottinghamshire (145, including 132 XL bullies), Thames Valley (134), Humberside (99) and Lincolnshire (52). Only seven police forces reported euthanasia figures - but this found 511 banned dogs had been put to sleep, including 316 in South Yorkshire. Further research from the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes shows its members had to put 693 dogs to sleep in 2024 as a result of the legislation - more than triple the 2023 figure (201), and more than eight times the number in 2022 (80). Dr Samantha Gaines, Head of Companion Animals at the RSPCA, said: "This data paints a predictable and depressing picture - with the change in legislation meaning high numbers of XL bully dogs are being seized and put to sleep. It is absolutely heartbreaking that dog fatalities and serious bite incidents are continuing and in very concerning numbers - which underlines that the Dangerous Dog Act simply isn't working, and hasn't been for 34 years. "The UK Government urgently needs to adopt a different approach; focussed instead on preventing dangerous behaviours rather than focussing on the dog's individual breed. The law has been failing dogs and, crucially, public safety too for long. It's time for decision makers to review the current dog control situation and commit to measures which effectively protect public safety and safeguard dog welfare."
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Boy, 7, left needing neck surgery after being mauled by XL Bully
A seven-year-old boy has suffered serious injuries which required surgery after being mauled by an XL Bully in South Yorkshire. Police were called at around 8pm on Monday, 4 August, after the family dog attacked the child in the kitchen, causing injuries to his neck. The XL bully, which had been registered, has since been seized by South Yorkshire Police. It was one of 15 calls the police received that evening requesting assistance for emergency dog bites, or alerting the force to a dangerously out of control dog. In another incident, a nine-year-old boy was mauled by their family dog, a Shih Tzu, at a house in Doncaster and suffered injuries to his ear. In a warning to parents, South Yorkshire Police said: 'We understand the joy that pets bring to a home, and a child's life, but as the school holidays are underway and children are spending more time at home and visiting friends, family and local parks, we are continuing to urge parents and owners to act. 'Any dog of any breed can bite and cause harm or fear. It is important that you understand your dog, it's behaviour and ensure it has a safe space where it can be alone.' At the end of December 2023, it became illegal to breed, exchange or advertise an XL bully dog. A month later, it became a criminal offence to own the breed without an exemption certificate. The offence falls under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, where dogs can also be seized and euthanised for being 'dangerously out of control'. A Freedom of Information request by Radar shows 3,464 suspected XL bullies were seized in 2024. They accounted for about half of the total 7,004 suspected banned or dangerous dogs seized by the 36 police forces that provided data. Of the 33 forces with full data on euthanasia, 2,409 banned or dangerous dogs were put down last year, with XL bullies accounting for 1,275 (53 per cent) of them.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
XL Bully Owner Questioned Over Kids' Safety—Her Home Footage Goes Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A video capturing the emotional reaction of an XL bully named Meko when his human sisters are away has gone viral, touching viewers across the internet. The clip, shared on Instagram by Ione Harvey (@mejo_xlbully), 30, from Manchester, in the U.K., shows Meko visibly sad and waiting patiently for his young companions to return. In the second half of the video, the dog's transformation is undeniable—his tail wags furiously, and he showers them with affection the moment they walk through the door. The post has garnered over 244,000 views and more than 85,000 likes on Instagram. Harvey told Newsweek: "Meko has two human sisters, and they've grown up side by side. Their bond is truly something special. They've been inseparable from Day One—he protects them, plays with them, and shares every moment with them. "When they're away, it's like a part of him is missing, and Meko is visibly sad—he'll wait in their bedroom for hours, listening for the sound of the door, tail ready to wag the moment they come home. They're not just 'his family'—they're his everything." A split image showing Meko the XL bully sulking at home in the absence of his sisters. A split image showing Meko the XL bully sulking at home in the absence of his sisters. meko_xlbully/meko_xlbully Harvey described Meko as the perfect mix of protector and clown, saying he is softhearted, affectionate, and always wants to be close to his loved ones. While he is playful and silly, he is also incredibly intuitive—often sensing when his family needs comfort and placing his head gently in their laps. She said the family brought him home at just 12 weeks old, and, from that moment, it felt like he was meant to be part of their family. In the first part of the video, Meko is seen sitting quietly, clearly missing his sisters. "You can see in his eyes that he's not his usual self—his ears are relaxed, his head is low, and there's this stillness about him," Harvey said. "That's how he is whenever the girls are away. He waits for them in their room, almost like he's guarding it until they come back." But, once the girls return, everything changes. Harvey added: "It's more than just a dog being excited—it's proof of the deep bond they share. He doesn't just love them; they're his world, and their absence leaves a gap that only they can fill." The heartwarming footage stands in contrast to recent debates surrounding the XL bully breed. The U.K. Government moved to ban American XL bullies under the Dangerous Dogs Act in 2023, following a series of high-profile attacks. As of February 2024, it is illegal to breed, sell, abandon, or give away the breed in England and Wales, and owners must comply with strict rules including neutering, muzzling in public, and holding a certificate of exemption. The move sparked intense public debate, with some defending the breed as loyal and misunderstood, while others pointed to safety concerns. On social media, Meko's video drew overwhelming praise for showcasing the gentle and loving side of the breed. "Believe me nothing is more dangerous than a human, pooches are man's best friend most unconditional love I've ever felt from my pooches," one user wrote. "I love how he jumps to your older daughter … Not up on her, but to her then pulls himself back. He knows how powerful he is & how delicate his sisters are," posted Sian. "Meko could easily knock over them girls if he wanted to but look how gentle and calm he is with his excitement when he sees them. What a beautiful gentle boy," commented another viewer. A third added: "My favorite breed. I wish the world would realize how loving and sweet these babies are. Feeling deeply is the truth." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
ITV News
01-08-2025
- ITV News
Neighbours fight to free woman seriously hurt in Fleetwood XL bully dog attack
A woman has suffered serious injuries after being attacked by an XL bully dog. Neighbours fought to free the woman during the incident in Wingrove Road in Fleetwood on Thursday 1 August afternoon. The woman, in her 40s, is being treated in hospital for serious bites to her arm. Police say the dog - which was legally owned - was taken away by a vet and put down. Owning an XL bully is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is illegal to have one without a certificate of exemption. In a statement Lancashire Police said: "We were called at 4.45pm yesterday to an address in Wingrove Road, Fleetwood, to a report of a dog bite. "The emergency services attended and found that a woman, aged in her 40s, had suffered serious dog bite injuries to her arm from an XL Bully. "Members of the public intervened to get the dog away from the woman."
Daily Mirror
31-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Dog mauled police officer and left him 'screaming in pain' as owner ran away
PC Mark Moreland-Francis was mauled by the Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog in April after Andre Willis let the animal off its lead, Bournemouth Crown Court heard A man who fled as his out-of-control dog savagely attacked a police officer has been jailed. Andre Willis, 32, of South Norwood, London, ran off when his Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog mauled PC Mark Moreland-Francis as he approached his car in Thwaite Road in Poole, Dorset. The incident took place on April 4, and the dog was later shot dead after days on the loose. At Bournemouth Crown Court today, Willis was jailed for 22 months. He previously admitted an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act, as well as driving while disqualified. He was also disqualified from driving for 55 months. Willis had previous convictions for drug dealing and assaulting a police constable. It comes after news a nursery teacher drowned her partner's four-year-old daughter in sickening attack. Judge Jonathan Fuller KC told him: "This was an awful attack by a Staffordshire-type cross terrier, which are intimidating dogs and capable of causing even more serious harm. Anyone listening to the video of the officer screaming in pain and fear would recognise the seriousness of what that dog did and you allowed it to do." On April 8 this year, Dorset Police responded to a concerned call at around 1pm and spent a number of hours attempting to safely capture the escaped dog. However, the decision was ultimately made to put it down using a firearm when their attempts failed. A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Regrettably, having explored all other options, the dog was put down by officers due to the ongoing threat it posed to the public. The decision was made after exploring all other contingencies while balancing the safety to the public." This comes after a dog was killed and its owner seriously injured in a park attack in Aberdeen which police are treating as an attempted murder. A 51-year-old man was taken to hospital following a 'disturbance' in Eric Hendrie Park on Sunday at about 8.30pm. Officers were called to a report of a vehicle in the park and a disturbance taking place which resulted in the death of the victim's XL bully dog. The owner of the dog was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where medical staff said his condition was serious but stable. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'Inquiries are ongoing in the area to trace everyone involved.' The force said that the victim was not struck by a car. Detective Sergeant Emma Low said: 'Our investigation is at an early stage to establish the exact circumstances surrounding this incident. 'Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact officers through 101 quoting incident number 3236 of July 27. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.'
