More than 90 per cent of MailOnline readers believe XL Bully dogs should be banned, according to a poll, after yet another Briton was savagely attacked by the ‘mutant’ breed.
Mother Katie Deere, 31, told how she suffered shocking injuries in a horrific mauling by a bully XL dog while walking with her daughter in a pushchair, but is unable to claim compensation because the animal is ‘owned by a minor’.
The attack came after a leading dog behaviourist warned American bully XL pets are ‘too dangerous to live’.
Stan Rawlinson wants to eradicate the ‘intrinsically evil’ dogs before more people are hurt.
Now a poll of nearly 12,000 MailOnline readers (as of early Thursday morning) has found that 94 per cent – or more than 11,000 – support a ban on the aggressive breed.
A poll of nearly 12,000 MailOnline readers found that 94 per cent (more than 11,000) want to ban the aggressive bully XL dog breed, against just 6 per cent who do not support a ban
An expert has claimed the controversial breed of XL bulldogs have ‘no redeeming qualities’ (file image)
A court was shown CCTV clips of a dog – which mauled Jack Lis, ten – demonstrating how it was repeatedly out of control, including here outside a shop
The dog was repeatedly aggressive on the streets, dragging along his owners and wriggling away from them
Jack Lis, ten, was attacked by the XL bully dog while playing with a friend at a house in Pentwyn, near Cardiff
Mr Rawlinson added that some of the animals, which are increasingly popular in the UK, were being bred by untrustworthy ‘underground’ owners in the US.
He believes the breeders are ‘tinkering with DNA’ to enhance the beasts’ muscles, size and power – and to get around bans on dangerous dogs such as the American Pit Bull terrier.
His comments come amid fresh calls for XL bullys to be banned in Britain after shocking data revealed the breed has been involved in the majority of fatal dog attacks in the UK since 2021.
Two in four deadly dog attacks in the UK in 2021 involved the breed – rising to six in ten in 2022, including high-profile maulings of children Jack Lis, ten, and Bella-Rae Birch, who was just 17 months.
But Mr Rawlinson, 76, fears this could be the tip of the iceberg and that if urgent action isn’t taken to stop the genetically engineered American crosses reaching Britain’s shores, more people and pets will be killed.
XL bullys are usually bred from a combination of several breeds, including the American pit bull terrier, which is banned in the UK.
Teaching assistant Katie Deere, 31, was with her own dog when she was suddenly set upon by an unsupervised bully XL breed in August
Miss Deere had already picked up her own dog out of concern, before the bully ran across the road and clamped its jaws on her arm
She was rushed to hospital by ambulance, bleeding from wounds to both arms
However, with the XL bully still not banned, underground breeders are able to mix pit bulls with other breeds including the American bulldog, old English bulldog and the mastiff, to create the new killer breed and dodge the law.
Mr Rawlinson, who has more than 20 years of experience working with aggressive animals, said the controversial breed beloved by celebrities has ‘no redeeming qualities’.
Teaching assistant Miss Deere was with her own dog when she was suddenly set upon by an unsupervised bully XL breed on August 17.
Miss Deere had already picked up her own dog out of concern for the loose bully, which then ran across the road and clamped its jaws on her arm.
She was rushed to hospital by ambulance, bleeding from wounds to both arms.
She underwent five hours of surgery on her arms, including 50 stitches and repair to a finger that was partially amputated.
She is now recovering with relatives. An aunt, who has set up an online fundraising appeal, said they had discovered Miss Deere is ‘not entitled to any sort of compensation or government help as the dog was uninsured and owned by a minor’.
The incident happened at 11am on 17 August in Askern, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Despite its relative popularity in the UK, the American bully XL is not officially registered as a breed by the UK Kennel Club, making it difficult to know exactly how many are in the country.
They are seen as ‘status symbols’ and are often purchased for their intimidating appearance.
Speaking to MailOnline, he said: ‘These dogs are a danger to women, children and everyone else. They should all be euthanised as a breed. There’s something wrongly wired in these dogs.
‘They can just flip. You’re talking nothing to full on and someone is dead in less than 15 seconds. You just can’t stop them. These dogs can rip people’s heads off. They’re incredibly powerful. They can open up your jugular veins almost immediately.
‘They’re too dangerous to be in the hands of the general public. You wouldn’t walk around with a mountain lion on a lead – because that’s effectively what you’ve got.’
A court this week heard how two out-of-control XL bullys had to be shot by a farmer in Wales after they escaped their owner, killing 22 pregnant sheep and injuring 48 more during a savage rampage.
Stan Rawlinson, who has more than 20 years of experience working with aggressive animals, warned the Bully XL is ‘very, very reactive’ and feared deaths caused by the breed could soar in the coming months and years
Jack Lis, pictured, suffered fatal injuries to the head and neck after he was attacked by the dog
