XL Bully Attack in Battersea: Horrifying Incident Caught on Camera
THIS is the terrifying moment a vicious XL Bully clambered onto a car as horrified Londoners scrambled to safety amid a savage attack. The raging mutt put four people in hospital during the chaotic episode before being shot dead by police on March 18, in Battersea.
Scary Scene Unfolds as XL Bully Attacks Victims
Horrifying CCTV footage captured at around 10pm showed men running in the street holding their coats in front of their legs for protection. One man leapt onto the roof of a nearby car and hit the bonnet with his jacket in an attempt to ward off the dangerous beast. But, moments later the deranged XL Bully lurched up onto the motor, trying to bite the terrified victim.
Local Residents Step in to Stop the Brutal Attack
Another local picked up a large wooden club to use as a weapon, but quickly scarpered as the mutt raced towards him. A driver at the scene even swerved in what appeared to be an unsuccessful attempt to run the grey hound from hell over. More people valiantly stepped in to stop the brute, with some whacking it with a bike helmet and others throwing a blanket over it. The terrifying attack took place near a local bus stop, with several infant’s nurseries and a primary school close by.
Police Respond to Frantic Calls and Subdue the XL Bully
Emergency services responded to frantic calls as cops shot the dog dead at the scene. Paramedics rushed four men to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. They have both been bailed pending further enquiries.
Dangerous Dogs Act: Controversy and Legislation
After 11 horrific attacks in 1991, Home Secretary Kenneth Baker promised to “rid the country of the menace of these fighting dogs” by introducing the Dangerous Dogs Act. The law is often considered controversial as it focuses on a dog’s breed or looks instead of an individual dog’s behaviour, and fails to stem the rise of dog attacks. According to the RSPCA, over a third of people killed by dogs since the act was brought in were attacked by legal breeds. As of December 31 last year, it became illegal to sell, breed or give away XL Bully dogs under the Act.
From February 1, it became illegal to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate. Anyone found in possession of an XL Bully who is not meeting the strict rules will have their dog taken away and face prosecution and a criminal record. It comes after a spate of fatal attacks which saw 11 deaths linked to XL Bullies in just three years.
Two Arrested in Wandsworth Dog Attack Incident
A Met spokeswoman said: “Two people have been arrested after a dog attacked a number of people in Wandsworth. Police were called shortly after 10pm on Monday, 18 March to reports of a dog – described as an XL bully – that was dangerously out of control and attacking people in the vicinity of Home Road, SW11. Due to the threat posed to the public by the dog, armed officers attended. After assessing the situation, officers took the difficult decision to destroy the dog and it was shot.
“Four men – all members of the public – were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries sustained during the dog attack. None of their injuries are life threatening. Officers subsequently arrested two people – a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman – on suspicion of being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. Both have been bailed pending further enquiries to dates in mid-June.
“Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances of the incident. An examination of the dog will take place to establish its specific breed. Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD7620/18Mar.”
Owner Prosecuted for Breaching XL Bully Ban
Around 40,000 XL Bully dogs are understood to have been registered before the law changed – although there are fears thousands are still on the streets without certificates. It comes after figures released by the NHS showed the horrifying number of victims mauled by XL bully dogs and other breeds. A dog owner recently became the first known person in Britain to be prosecuted for breaching the XL Bully ban.
Patrick McKeown failed to apply for an exemption for the dog and get it neutered in line with the February 1 legislation. Officers found the animal in the 40-year-old’s back garden when they visited his home in Worthing, Sussex, for a different matter. McKeown, who also failed to get the dog third party insurance, warned cops it would attack anyone who went near it.
Police obtained a warrant and seized the XL Bully – leading to its owner appearing in court for breaching the ban. McKeown admitted one count of possessing or having a fighting dog, contrary to the Dangerous Dog Act. He was made subject to a one-year community order, ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge. Magistrates issued an order to destroy the dog pending an appeal.
Recent Fatal Attacks by XL Bullies
Ian “Scouse” Langley, 54, was protecting his puppy when the animal pounced on him outside a home in Sunderland in October 2023. Ian Price, 52, was viciously savaged in September 2023 by the beasts as he tried to protect his elderly mum from them after they escaped. Jonathan Hogg, 37, was killed in May 2023 entered the dog’s pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg and head.
Natasha Johnston, 28, was mauled to death while walking a pack of dogs in January 2023 was believed to have been killed by her own pet – an American Bully XL. Shirley Patrick, 83, died 17 days after being mauled in a “hellish”, violent dog attack in December 2022. Ian Symes, 34, who was known to friends as “Wiggy”, died at a recreation ground in Fareham, Hampshire, after the savage attack in August 2022.
Joanne Robinson, 43, was fatally mauled by pet Rocco at her home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire in July 2022. Keven Jones, 62, went into cardiac arrest after being bitten by Cookie-Doe at Chanel Fong’s home in Wrexham, North Wales in May 2022. Bella-Rae Birch, one, was mauled to death in March 2022 at her home by the American Bully XL. Jack Lis, 10, was killed by a hulking XL Bully dog named Beast in November 2021 as he played at friend’s home in Caerphilly.