'XL Bully attack' in Bartley Green as woman mauled by dog in alleyway

Police have launched an investigation after a woman was reportedly attacked by an XL Bully in Birmingham. The pensioner suffered serious injuries as she was mauled in an alleyway in Bartley Green.

Officers were first called to the scene in Woodgate Gardens at 6.25pm on Sunday night, June 16. Paramedics were then alerted to the dog attack, in which the 73-year-old victim was found badly injured.

Police probing the attack say the animal was an XL Bully, understood to have been living at the woman's home, has since been put down. Its owner has been "spoken to" and is helping police with the investigation.

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Another dog, also suspected to be an XL Bully breed, was taken into secure kennels. Police have since urged anyone with information on the attack to come forward. It's understood the woman remains in hospital recovering from her injuries.

A full statement from the force read: "We’re investigating after a woman was attacked by a dog in Birmingham on Sunday night (16 June). We were called to Woodgate Gardens at 6.25pm after an XL Bully attacked a woman in an alleyway near her home.

"The 73-year-old was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The dog, an XL Bully is believed to have been living at the woman’s address at the time of the attack. The dog was put to sleep, while another dog also believed to be an XL Bully was taken into secure kennels.

"The owner of the dog has been spoken to and is co-operating with the investigation." West Midlands Ambulance Service were called to the scene at around 6.50pm, with a critical care paramedic among resources dispatched to deal with the attack.

A spokeswoman for the service said: "We were called at around 6.50pm on Sunday to reports of a dog attack at an address off Lye Avenue in Bartley Green. An ambulance, two paramedic officers and a critical care paramedic were sent to the scene where, on arrival, they found an elderly woman with serious injuries. She was treated at the scene before being conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital."

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch with police via 101 or Live Chat, quoting log 3326 of 16 June.