A man sustained severe facial injuries after being attacked by an XL Bully in a distressing incident at a friend’s residence in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. The police responded to the scene around 5:45 pm on August 14 following the assault on Beverley Anderson and her companion. The man was discovered in the kitchen with significant wounds to his face and hands, while Anderson had minor injuries on her arms.
Law enforcement officers found the dog in the garden and sedated it before transferring it to a secure facility. The victim, who declined to press charges, received medical treatment for deep bites on both arms, a torn eyelid, and other facial injuries. Despite the victim’s decision, an investigation was initiated, resulting in Anderson being charged as the owner of a dog that had caused harm. Anderson admitted to the offense and was sentenced at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.
As a result of the incident, Anderson was prohibited from owning a dog for a decade and given a 12-month suspended prison sentence. Nottinghamshire Police’s Police Constable Mark Jennings expressed gratitude to the community for their assistance in the investigation. Concerns were raised regarding the safety of Anderson’s dogs following this and previous incidents. The police took action to address these concerns due to the potential threat to the community.
Since January of the previous year, owning an XL Bully without a Certificate of Exemption has been illegal. Regulations mandate that owners keep the dog leashed and muzzled in public areas and ensure that it resides in a secure location without the possibility of escape. Despite these measures, the RSPCA highlighted that the ban on XL Bullies has not been entirely effective, with fatal and severe attacks persisting. Data from UK police forces indicates that numerous suspected banned dogs have been seized, and some have been euthanized.