A woman in her 50s has died after being attacked by her two XL bully dogs at her home in Hornchurch, east London. Police were called to Cornwall Close just after 1pm on Monday, and armed officers attended due to the threat posed by the animals.
The woman was treated by London Ambulance Service medics but was pronounced dead at the scene. The two registered XL bully dogs were contained inside a room and were safely seized by officers. They did not leave the house during the incident.
Since 1 February, owning an XL bully in England and Wales without an exemption certificate is a criminal offence. Owners must have the dog neutered, microchipped, and muzzled and on a lead in public.
The government banned XL bullies after a series of attacks, including one in Birmingham where an 11-year-old girl was injured, and the death of Ian Price, 52, in Stonnall, West Midlands, in September. In November 2021, 10-year-old Jack Lis was killed by an XL bully; the owner received a three-year jail sentence.
