Premier League footballer Saïd Benrahma was subjected to a horrifying street robbery during which an XL Bully dog was deliberately set upon him, a London court has heard. The West Ham United winger was walking through the capital when he was ambushed by criminals who used the powerful breed as a weapon.
The shocking incident occurred as Benrahma, 28, was targeted by a group who demanded he hand over his valuable watch. When the Algerian international resisted, the assailants unleashed their XL Bully, which savagely attacked the footballer.
Traumatic Ordeal for Football Star
Prosecutors described how Benrahma suffered significant injuries during the vicious assault in May 2023. The court heard harrowing details of how the dog was used as an instrument of violence, leaving the professional athlete traumatised by the experience.
Wesley Nygrove, 25, has pleaded guilty to being in charge of the dangerously out-of-control dog that attacked Benrahma. The case has highlighted growing concerns about the use of powerful dog breeds in criminal activities across London.
XL Bully Ban Comes Into Force
This disturbing case emerges amidst the government's recent ban on the XL Bully breed, which came into effect on February 1st. The legislation requires all XL Bully dogs to be muzzled and kept on leads in public, with breeding, selling, or abandoning the animals now illegal.
Existing owners must comply with strict new requirements, including neutering their pets and obtaining exemption certificates. The measures follow a series of tragic incidents involving the breed that prompted nationwide safety concerns.
Football Community Shocked
The attack has sent shockwaves through the football community, where Benrahma is respected as a talented winger who has represented both West Ham and Brentford in the Premier League. His current loan spell at Lyon has been overshadowed by the court revelations about the traumatic event.
As Nygrove awaits sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court, the case serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between dangerous dogs and street crime. The football star's ordeal underscores the very real dangers that prompted the government's decisive action against the XL Bully breed.
