A nine-month-old baby boy has died after being attacked by an XL bully in South Wales. Emergency services were called to an address in Crossway, Rogiet, on Sunday evening following reports of an attack by a family dog. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death. They have since been released on police bail as inquiries continue. The dog involved was a six-year-old male XL bully, which was registered with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and held a certificate of exemption from 2024.
Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend said: 'The arrests were made as part of a wide range of enquiries that officers are carrying out to understand the circumstances of the death. These enquiries are still ongoing, and so you will continue to see officers in the area.' She urged the public not to speculate online and to contact police with any information.
A ban on XL Bullies in England and Wales came into full effect on 1 February 2024, making it a criminal offence to own one without an exemption certificate. Data from 19 police forces shows that in the first eight months since the ban, 1,991 suspected banned dogs were seized, and 818 dogs were destroyed – more than double the number in 2023.
Monmouthshire County Councillor Peter Strong said the community is 'very much in mourning' and that there is 'a profound sense of shock'. He appealed for calm and privacy for the grieving family.
