Police in Wales have confirmed that the dog responsible for mauling a 12-year-old girl and leaving her with horrific injuries was an XL Bully breed. The incident occurred at The Crescent in Nantyglo, Brynmawr on Monday, October 7, just before 6 pm. The girl was swiftly taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment. She remains in a stable condition, but the police have deemed her injuries as “life-changing”. The XL Bully dog was humanely euthanised by a vet following the attack.
Authorities have arrested a 37-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman from the Brynmawr area on suspicion of owning or possessing a dog bred for fighting and owning or possessing a dog dangerously out of control. The pair are currently in police custody. The girl’s family, who requested anonymity, shared that the schoolgirl sustained serious injuries to her arm and back during the sudden attack. The family recounted how the girl’s father managed to restrain the dog until the police arrived at the scene.
The parents emphasised the need for responsible dog ownership, stressing the importance of registering, muzzling, and leashing dangerous dogs. The mother of the injured girl expressed her shock and urged others to be vigilant. Ownership of American Bully XL dogs is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, with stringent laws enacted since December 2023 to regulate breeding and ownership of XL Bully dogs.
The UK government noted a high influx of exemption applications for owning XL Bullies. Tragic incidents involving XL Bully attacks have been reported in Wales, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and responsible ownership practices. The incident in Brynmawr serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by certain breeds of dogs and the importance of adhering to laws governing their ownership and control.