A mother has told a coroner's inquest how the family's pet XL Bully dog, known as Biggie, was discovered 'covered in blood' after it fatally mauled her ten-year-old daughter, Lillia Kaur Valutyte. The tragic event unfolded at their home in Boston, Lincolnshire.
The hearing at Lincoln Coroner's Court was presented with harrowing details of the attack. Lillia's mother described finding the dog in a state after the incident, which led to the little girl's death from severe injuries.
A Family Pet Turns Tragic
The inquest heard that the XL Bully, a breed now subject to government restrictions, was a family pet. The details surrounding the exact circumstances of the attack remain under scrutiny as the coroner, Paul Smith, works to establish the full facts.
Emergency services were called to the property, but despite their efforts, Lillia was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and reignited the national debate on controlling certain dog breeds.
National Context of Bully Breed Restrictions
This heartbreaking case comes amidst ongoing controversy over XL Bully dogs. The breed was added to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 earlier this year. New laws now make it a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.
Owners were required to apply for an exemption by a specific deadline, and must now adhere to strict rules, including mandatory neutering, microchipping, and keeping the dog muzzled and on a lead in public.
The inquest continues as the coroner seeks to determine the precise cause and events leading to this devastating loss of a young life.
