The UK is moving to ban the American XL Bully breed in the country after a man was killed in an attack involving two of these dogs.
The man has been identified as Ian Price from Stonnall, Staffordshire, who was mauled to death after the two dogs attacked him near a primary school on Thursday, September 14, according to the Daily Mail.
Children were prevented from leaving the school while emergency services tended to Price, with an air ambulance, paramedics, and police officers, including armed units, being called to the scene just before 3:15 pm. He was later pronounced dead.
One of the dogs later died after it was restrained, and another was administered a lethal injection. Police sources said the animals were both XL Bully-type dogs.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection to the attack and is set to be interviewed by police on Friday.
In a video posted to X on Friday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the breed would be banned in the country by the end of the year.
"The American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children. I share the nation’s horror at the recent videos we’ve all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL Bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality," he said.
"It’s clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs. It’s a pattern of behavior and it cannot go on."
Sunak said that while there are existing regulations requiring people to keep their dogs under control, "I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public."
"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."
Sunak said the breed of dug will be banned 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.
The death of Price occurred just one day after a 10-year-old boy was attacked while playing football, less than three miles away from the Thursday attack. Less than a week prior, an XL Bully attacked an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham.
The mother of a 10-year-old boy who was killed by an XL Bully dog in November 2021 said in response to Sunak’s announcement, "I'm sobbing. I'm sat on my own sobbing. I don't even have words right now."
Brandon Hayden, 19, and Amy Salter, 29, both of Caerphilly, where the attack happened, were jailed for four and a half and three and a half years respectively after being convicted of having a dangerously out-of-control dog.
According to the Daily Mail, the breed is popular in the UK, but is not officially registered as a breed with the UK Kennel Club, making it difficult to know how many reside within the country.
The breed is seen as a "status symbol," and is often purchased for it’s intimidating looks and being "purchased by people who want a thuggish and scary looking dog."
Experts warn that the dogs could have a dangerous nature, especially if encouraged by their owners.
