A tragic incident occurred in central England where a man lost his life following a dog attack. This incident, along with several others, has prompted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to pledge swift action.
Emergency services received a call on Thursday reporting a man severely injured after being bitten by two dogs near Birmingham. The West Midlands Ambulance Service reported that upon arrival, they found the man with multiple life-threatening injuries in critical condition. Despite efforts, it became evident that nothing more could be done to save him, and he was pronounced deceased after reaching the hospital.
A 30-year-old man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of having dogs that were dangerously out of control, according to Staffordshire Police. The police are currently working to determine the breeds of the dogs involved, with suspicions pointing towards an American bully XL, known for its robust and muscular appearance.
This surge in dog-related incidents has elevated the issue of dangerous dogs to the highest levels of UK politics. An 11-year-old girl was also seriously injured in a recent attack involving an American bully XL and a Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed puppy. This incident prompted Interior Minister Suella Braverman to urgently seek advice on potentially banning the American bully XL breed.
Addressing the situation, Braverman stated, “The American XL Bully is a clear and lethal danger to our communities, particularly to children. We can’t go on like this. I have commissioned urgent advice on banning them.”
Prime Minister Sunak reinforced the urgency of the matter, emphasizing that this is not solely an issue of poorly trained dogs, but rather a pattern of behaviour that cannot be allowed to persist. While owners bear the responsibility of controlling their dogs, the government is actively working on measures to prevent such attacks and safeguard the public.
Sunak further outlined the plan to collaborate with police and experts to accurately define the breed behind these incidents, to ultimately outlaw them. He emphasized the need to act swiftly, assuring that new legislation will be in place by year-end to ban dangerous breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro are presently prohibited breeds in the UK. The American bully XL, though related to the pit bull terrier and larger, is not subject to legal restrictions itself. This complicates legislative efforts, as it is not officially recognized as a breed by the country’s Kennel Club.
Sunak concluded by emphasizing the urgency of defining the breed and instituting new laws promptly. “These dogs are dangerous. I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe.”
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