A woman has been arrested following a brutal attack on an elderly man by an XL Bully dog. Armed police were called to Bardsley Avenue, Warrington, around 6.40pm on Monday, February 24.
An 84-year-old man was walking along the road when he was set upon by a dog that had escaped from a nearby property. The dog, thought to be an XL Bully, according to Cheshire Police, attacked the man in a neighbouring garden, inflicting serious injuries.
When officers arrived at the scene, armed police shot and killed the dog outside the property. A second suspected XL Bully was also killed inside the house and a third smaller dog was seized.
Cheshire Police stated that firearms officers fired 19 shots at the dogs due to “the sheer size and ferocity of these animals”. The victim, a local resident, was rushed to Aintree Hospital, where his condition is currently described as critical but stable.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and a 29-year-old woman has since been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a dangerously out-of-control dog causing serious injury. She is currently assisting officers with their enquiries in police custody, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Police are still attempting to locate a 40-year-old man in connection with the incident.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, of Cheshire Constabulary, said: “This was an innocent man who was simply walking in the street when he was horrifically attacked by a suspected unregistered XL Bully. These dogs are like weapons; their physical attributes can make it like owning a loaded firearm with a questionable safety catch.
“The sheer size and ferocity of these animals mean that our firearms officers had to discharge 19 shots into them – all of which hit their targets – in order bring the incident to a conclusion and ensure the safety of the public. While the victim is now receiving the treatment that he requires, there is no doubt that this incident will impact him for the rest of his life.
“The danger to the public that these dogs pose is well-known, which is why Cheshire Constabulary has been extremely proactive in enforcing the new regulations. So far we have already removed more than 100 XL Bullies from the streets of Cheshire and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure that those who don’t comply with the new regulations are held accountable.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police at www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us, or call 101, quoting IML 2034464. For more details in relation to the laws surrounding XL Bully dogs visit – Ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK.