‘XL bully dog’ shot dead by police after attack which left two people injured
Officers were called to Stainland Road in Halifax at around 6pm on Monday after reports of ‘a concern for safety’ following the attack.
A woman has been charged after a dog, believed to be an XL bully, was shot and killed after it attacked two people and another dog.
Officers were called to Stainland Road in Sowood, Halifax, at around 6pm on Monday after reports of “a concern for safety” following the attack.
The animal was suspected to have attacked its owner and another person as well as another dog, West Yorkshire Police said.
The two people were taken to hospital while the other dog was taken to a vets after the incident.
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A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson told Yahoo News UK that Rosina Austin, 34, has been charged and bai led before an appearance at Bradford Magistrates' Court next month.
Officers have so far not confirmed the breed of dog but it is believed to be an XL bully.
One local resident, who wishes to be anonymous, says he witnessed police with “guns drawn at the dog”, which was hiding between a shed and a fence.
He said: "Next we had armed police out of the cars with the helicopter searchlight looking for something around the houses.
"The police moved across the houses, knocking on doors and windows and telling everyone not to be alarmed but there’s a dangerous dog on the loose and we’ll be safe as long as we stay inside.”
The resident added that armed police shot the dog twice.
Woman arrested
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed the dog was destroyed by armed officers.
They said: “Attempts to restrain the dog were unsuccessful and it was destroyed by armed officers who attended the scene.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of what happened.
"One woman has been arrested in connection with the incident."
Yahoo News UK has contacted West Yorkshire Police for an update.
What are the new rules for XL bully owners?
The ban on XL bullies comes into force on New Year’s Eve, meaning it will be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow the animals to stray in England and Wales.
Existing owners of the breed will be allowed to keep their pets, but there are a raft of measures that they will have to adhere to.
Owners have already been advised to stop mating the dogs ahead of the ban, while the government has also recommended that the animals are trained to wear a muzzle and walk on a lead – which will be the law after 31 December – before the new rules come into effect.
It will be expected that all owners register their XL bullies on the index of exempted dogs by 1 February 2024 – and it will be illegal to own one that is not on the index after this date.
The dogs must also be microchipped and neutered, with animals under a year old given until the end of 2024 to be neutered while older dogs must be neutered by June.
XL bully owners who fail to register their dogs on the index face a criminal record and an unlimited fine. Their dog could also be seized.
Owners also have the option to have their dog put down by the vet, with compensation provided to those who do.
