A young girl has been hospitalised after a terrifying attack by an XL Bully dog, reigniting calls for stricter controls on dangerous breeds across the UK.
The incident has prompted a new poll revealing that 65% of Britons now support banning the controversial breed entirely, while 78% believe current dog laws need significant strengthening.
Growing Public Outcry
The attack comes amid rising concerns about the increasing popularity of XL Bullies, with hospital admissions for dog bites having risen by 34% in the past five years according to NHS figures.
"This could have been my child," one local parent told reporters. "How many more children need to be hurt before the government takes proper action?"
What the Poll Reveals
The comprehensive survey of 2,000 UK adults found:
- 82% support mandatory muzzling of powerful breeds in public
- 76% want stricter penalties for irresponsible owners
- 68% believe breeding of XL Bullies should be licensed
Animal welfare groups have expressed concerns that any new legislation must target irresponsible ownership rather than specific breeds.
Government Under Pressure
Ministers are facing mounting pressure to review the Dangerous Dogs Act, with cross-party MPs calling for urgent parliamentary debate.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We're determined to protect the public from dangerous dogs while ensuring responsible owners aren't penalised."
The victim remains in stable condition as police continue their investigation into the attack.
