Braverman pushes for XL bully ban after dog attack
By Connor Steel
HOME SECRETARY Suella Braverman has announced that she has asked for “urgent advice” about a blanket banning of American XL bully dogs in Britain after a ‘severe’ incident in Birmingham; which saw two men and an eleven year old girl needing medical treatment following a dog attack that occurred on Saturday as people enjoyed warm temperatures.
West Midlands Police are currently investigating the attack, which started in Bordesley Green and continued into a part of Churchill Road as it moved towards a packed petrol station. The dog was eventually brought to a ‘halt’ by concerned neighbours and passers-by before being taken to “secure kennels” in the city where it will remain until otherwise stated.
All three victims were left with ‘arm and shoulder’ injuries that needed hospital attention; police adding they had spoken to the owner of the dog but no arrests had been made at this time. They also thanked the public for providing them with video footage of the attack, which was further shared on social media and has since been watched by over 90k people.
It shows the eleven year old screaming in agony as a group of people rush to help her, with the dog then pushing a first man to the ground using its back legs. Another man is then attacked by this animal at the petrol station forecourt before it is stopped and contained; whilst staff from both the police and ambulance services were quickly alerted to the scene.
Reacting to this footage, Ms Braverman took to X (Formerly Twitter) on Saturday as she commented: “This is appalling. The American XL bully is a clear and lethal danger to our communities particularly for children. We can’t go on like this. I have commissioned urgent advice on banning them.” This ‘stance’ is backed by many politicians like Sir John Hayes.
This attack follows an incident in Wales last week that saw two XL bully dogs shot dead after killing 32 pregnant sheep; whilst it comes as ministers look at recent data implying that dog attacks are rising up. Last year a total of 8,819 people were admitted to hospital across England for dog ‘bites’, a big figure that has almost doubled from 4,699 back in 2007.
Advice will be provided by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, who should have this responsibility to add this breed to the banned list; with owners facing unlimited fines and up to 6 months in prison. If approved it will join pit bull terriers, the Japanese tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro; alongside those dogs with exact characteristics.
Readers are encouraged to explore media links like BBC News, Sky News and ITV News for fresh developing updates on this story; whilst the detailed Government legislation regarding’ dog ownership’ can be explored via this website link.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (2KEACNY): American XL bullies could be banned across the UK after this Birmingham attack.
