Cops urgently hunt XL Bully on the loose after mauling dog to death and biting woman

Cops in Lancashire are on the hunt for an "out of control" XL Bully after a woman was injured and her dog was killed in an 'distressing' incident in Rossendale earlier this month

Cops in Manchester are on the lookout for an XL Bully after it killed another dog in what police called a “really distressing incident”.

The “out of control” dog attacked a Staffordshire bull terrier and its owner in Waterfoot, Rossendal on October 23, the Manchester Evening News reported. The staffie, named Alfie, sadly died from its injuries while its owner suffered an injury to her hand which is not believed to be serious.

The owner of the XL Bully left the scene along with the dog, Lancashire Police said. A 29-year-old man from Rossendale was arrested on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control on October 26. He has since been released on bail pending further investigation, reports say.

Police issued a photo of the dog and urge the public to keep an eye out. A police spokesperson said: "Efforts are continuing to locate the XL Bully, which is pictured. We would ask anyone with information on its whereabouts or anyone who witnessed the incident on Wednesday to contact the police."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to email 3000@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 734 of October 23, 2024. For immediate sightings of the dog call 999. The Mirror has approached Lancashire Police for an update.

From February 1, it became a criminal offence to own the XL Bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate. Anyone who owns one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, have it microchipped and keep it muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.

The Tory Government move to ban XL bullies followed a series of attacks. According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 16 deaths due to dog attacks in 2023, a sharp rise from preceding years where the number had been in single figures.

In February, National Police Chiefs’ Council dangerous dogs lead Mark Hobrough urged members of the public to report any XL Bully owners not following the rules so officers can assess the animals.

The total number of XL bullies, estimated by animal groups, has ranged between 50,000 and 100,000, the RSPCA has said, also in February. Its dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “The ban on XL bullies not only remains devastating for so many dogs, but is also taking a heavy toll on owners, on rescue centre staff who have grown close to dogs in their care, and to veterinary teams who face the prospect of being asked to put to sleep healthy dogs whose behaviour poses no risk.”