XL bully dogs to be banned as man killed in latest attack - live updates
Rishi Sunak commits to ban by the end of the year a day after Ian Price was mauled to death in Stonnall by two dogs.
Rishi Sunak has vowed to ban American XL bully dogs by the end of the year following a series of attacks.
The prime minister made the promise the day after a man was mauled to death by two dogs – that police have said are suspected to be bully XLs – in Stonnall, Staffordshire. Last weekend, a video of another incident went viral when an 11-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in Birmingham.
On Friday, Ian Price was named by police as the victim of the incident in Stonnall, while a 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
One of the dogs died after being restrained and the other died after an injection was given by a vet, the force said, adding that both were believed to be XL bullies but further tests are being carried out to determine their breed.
Follow the latest updates here:
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Man mauled to death by two dogs in Walsall named by police
The man who was killed by two dogs in Staffordshire has been named by police as Ian Price, 52.
Price is believed to have been leaving his elderly mother's home when he was set upon by the animals, inflicting fatal injuries that Price succumbed to shortly after being taken to hospital.
Bystanders attempted to help Price, throwing wheelie bins at the dogs with one neighbour using a stick to try to stop the attack.
Following a spate of similar attacks, the government has announced that it will ban the American XL Bully dog by the end of the year, Rishi Sunak has said.
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The American bully XL furore is a stark reminder of the uneasy bond between dogs and humans
A savage attack on an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham highlights a potential for wildness that dog owners are often keen to deny, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes
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XL bullys Sheffield: Police respond to questions about warrant at house where dogs were seized
This is what South Yorkshire Police had to say.
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XL bully dog breeders 'abandoning them due to bad press', say campaign group
Calls for a ban of the breed have intensified since footage emerged showing a suspected XL bully on the rampage in Birmingham.
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Four children aged from two to 15 injured in attacks by their family dogs in just one weekend in South Yorkshire - with one pet a 'previously aggressive' XL Bully
South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that four children were injured in separate ‘family’ dog attacks on just one weekend in the county.
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‘An XL Bully disfigured my daughter - this is why we should ban the breed’
A mother and daughter were at a friend's house when the dog struck
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Will Staffordshire Bull Terriers be banned in the UK after latest dog ban?
Will Staffies be banned by Rishi Sunak to stop dog attacks? The prime minister has announced that American Bully XL dogs will be banned by the end of 2023.
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What will happen to XL bullies if they are banned? Owners may have to neuter and muzzle their pets under Dangerous Dogs Act
American 'extra large' bullies will be banned in the UK by the end of the year, according to government
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Group of animal charities speaks out against proposed ban
A coalition of animal charities, including the RSPCA and the Kennel Club, said banning American XL bully dogs will not stop attacks.
A spokeswoman for the Dog Control Coalition said: “The recent incidents are deeply distressing and our thoughts are with all those involved and affected.
“The biggest priority for everyone involved is to protect the public — but banning the breed will sadly not stop these types of incidents recurring.
“For 32 years, the Dangerous Dogs Act has focused on banning types of dog and yet has coincided with an increase in dog bites, and the recent deaths show that this approach isn’t working.
“The UK Government must tackle the root issue by dealing with the unscrupulous breeders who are putting profit before welfare, and the irresponsible owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control.”
The coalition said any ban should be based on “robust evidence”, adding that it was “deeply concerned about the lack of data behind this decision and its potential to prevent dog bites”.
The Dog Control Coalition is made up of the RSPCA, Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust, Hope Rescue, Scottish SPCA, the Kennel Club and the British Veterinary Association.
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What is an American bully XL? Why Braverman faces a tough time banning them
American XL bully dogs have been responsible for a spate of attacks, including three in the past week in the west-Midlands, one of which was fatal.
Read more:
American XL bully dogs to be banned by end of year (The National)
Man dies after being attacked by two dogs in Walsall (Telegraph)
Half of all XL Bully dogs in Britain descend from 'Killer Kimbo' (Telegraph)
Watch: Sunak vows to ban XL bully dogs