A woman in her 50s has died after being mauled by her two registered XL Bully dogs in her home in Hornchurch, East London, England. This incident is believed to be the first fatal attack by dogs granted an exemption from the government’s recent ban on the breed.
Emergency services, including armed officers from the Metropolitan Police and paramedics, were called to Cornwall Close during the afternoon on Monday, May 20, 2024, following reports of a dog attack. Despite their prompt response, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses in the neighborhood reported seeing several police vehicles, with flashing blue lights and sirens blaring, arriving in the normally quiet cul-de-sac. Ambulance and air ambulance crews soon followed.
One resident told The Mirror that the police had not euthanized the dogs but had taken them away. They mentioned, “There have been vans coming and going since lunchtime, and we saw the helicopter overhead, which made us fear the worst. With Campion School nearby, our first thought was that it involved children. You never expect something like this from dogs. It’s terrible.”
Another person wrote on X, “I saw about six police vehicles with lights and sirens, plus ambulances and an air ambulance at Cornwall Close in Hornchurch.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the two dogs were registered XL Bullys owned by the deceased woman. When officers arrived, the dogs were contained in a room within the house and were safely seized without further incident. A police spokesperson stated, “Armed officers were required due to the threat posed. After assessing the situation, officers were able to seize two dogs safely.”
Neighbors described the area as a quiet residential neighborhood, quickly cordoned off by the police. The incident left the community in shock.
This attack has brought renewed attention to the government’s decision to ban XL Bully dogs, a breed that has been associated with several violent incidents in recent years.
The XL Bully Dog is a large, muscular breed known for its powerful build and strong jaw. It is a variant of the American Bully breed developed in the United States as a companion dog. The XL Bully is noted for its size, which can exceed the standard American Bully, and its physical strength, making it a popular but sometimes controversial pet.
The ban, which came into force on February 1, 2024, requires owners to obtain an exemption certificate, ensure their dogs are neutered and microchipped, and keep them muzzled and on a leash in public. Despite these measures, the breed has continued to be involved in serious attacks.
The tragic event follows another high-profile attack involving XL Bully dogs. In February, only days after the ban was put in place, Esther Martin, 68, was killed by two unregistered XL Bullys in Jaywick, Essex, England while visiting her grandson. The dogs involved in that incident were not registered under the new regulations, highlighting ongoing concerns about compliance with the law.