Baby girl attacked by ‘XL bully’ airlifted to hospital

A baby girl has been airlifted to hospital after she was attacked by a dog believed to be an XL bully.

Kent Police said officers were called to Siskin Close in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, at 2.23pm on Wednesday after a report the eight-month-old was bitten by a dog, which was believed to be the banned breed.

Ambulance crews went to the scene and the infant was taken to a London hospital, where she remains in a serious condition, police said.

Family members have since said the baby is in a stable condition in intensive care and that it had been “touch and go”.

The dog was seized and destroyed.

An 18-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, the force confirmed.

They remain in custody while enquiries continue.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “Officers will remain in the area while enquiries are carried out and to provide reassurance to the local community.”

From Feb 1 this year, it became a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.

Anyone who owns one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, have it microchipped, and keep it muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.