American bully XL dogs – responsible for death of Wigan dad - to be banned

He made the promise after it emerged a man died after being attacked by two dogs – suspected to be bully XLs – in Staffordshire and following a video of another incident when an 11-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in Birmingham.

And dad-of-five Jonathan Hogg, 37, from Hindley, was attacked by an American bully XL he was looking after at a friend's house in Westleigh on May 18, causing fatal injuries.

Mr Sunak said: “I share the nation’s horror at the recent videos we’ve all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

“It is clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, it’s a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.”

He has ordered ministers to bring together police and experts to define the breed of dog behind these attacks so they can be outlawed.

“We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year,” he said.

“These dogs are dangerous. I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe.”

Downing Street denied the Government had taken too long to ban American XL bully dogs.

Asked whether ministers had “dragged their heels” on commencing work to outlaw the breed, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I wouldn’t accept that. I think we’ve obviously been doing some policy work on this and you heard from the Home Secretary recently about how to take this forward.

“Clearly this breed of dog isn’t defined in law so it’s right to take the time to consider the best way to put an end to these horrendous attacks that we’re seeing.”

Within minutes of Mr Sunak announcing the ban, a man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over an attack on Main Street, Stonnall, on Thursday, Staffordshire Police said.

The 30-year-old, from the Lichfield area, was previously arrested on suspicion of being in charge of dogs dangerously out of control causing injury.

One of the dogs died after being restrained and the other died after an injection given by a vet, the force said, adding that both were believed to be XL bullies but further tests were being carried out.

A 60-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out of control after a dog attack on Saturday left 11-year-old Ana Paun with injuries that required her to spend a night in hospital.

She was attacked by an American bully XL and Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed puppy in Bordesley Green, Birmingham. Two other men were also injured.

In a joint statement, campaign groups Bully Watch, the Campaign for Evidence Based Regulation of Dangerous Dogs (CEBRDD) and Protect Our Pets claimed the breed was a “a clear and present threat to public health”.

Lawrence Newport, of CEBRDD, said: “The importing of the American bully, a highly inbred Pitbull-type, led to skyrocketing deaths and attacks. This ban will finally allow the government and police to act, before another child or pet is ripped apart.”