Home Secretary orders ‘urgent advice’ on banning American Bully XL
The UK’s Home Secretary has commissioned “urgent advice on banning” the American Bully XL, following a dog attack in Birmingham last Saturday (09 September 2023).
Suella Braverman’s decision follows online footage of the incident, in which crossbreed Bully XL/Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy chased an 11-year-old girl, who she sustained serious injuries to her shoulder and forearms.
Commenting on social media, Braverman said: “This is appalling. The American XL bully is a clear and lethal danger to our communities, particularly to children.
“We can’t go on like this. I have commissioned urgent advice on banning them.”
According to the police, several people rushed to the girl’s aid and as the dog broke free from its owner a second time, a 20-year-old man was chased across a garage forecourt and was taken to hospital with bites to his shoulder and forearm, along with cuts and bruises from being dragged across the floor.
Another man also suffered injuries and presented himself at hospital for treatment.
The dog was seized by officers and taken to a vet suffering from heat exhaustion. He has now been taken into secure kennels and our dog unit will consider what will happen to it.
The dog’s owner is currently in hospital and the police said they would be speaking to him “in due course”.
In a statement, they added: “This was an alarming and shocking incident on a busy road in high temperatures and members of the public showed immense courage in tackling such a ferocious dog.
“We are taking statements from the victims and witnesses, and will have increased patrols in the area for anyone who would like to speak to us.”
