A man is receiving urgent hospital treatment after being savagely attacked by his own pet—an XL Bully dog—on a residential street in Essex. The shocking incident has intensified the ongoing national debate around the banned breed.
Emergency services, including armed police units, scrambled to Chichester Close in Southminster following distressed calls from the public on Tuesday afternoon. Witnesses reported a scene of chaos as the powerful animal turned on its owner.
Emergency Response and Dog Seized
Paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service treated the man at the scene for severe, potentially life-changing injuries to his arm before rushing him to hospital. His condition is now understood to be serious, with medical teams battling to prevent a major infection.
Armed officers successfully contained the situation and the dog was seized. Essex Police have confirmed the animal was an XL Bully, a breed now illegal to own in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.
A Nationwide Issue Comes to Essex
This attack in Southminster is not an isolated event. It echoes a worrying trend across the UK since the ban came into effect on February 1st. The government's legislation was intended to protect the public following a series of tragic fatalities linked to the breed.
An Essex Police spokesperson stated: "We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man and a dog in Chichester Close, Southminster, at around 4.20pm on Tuesday... The man was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries to his arm. The dog was secured and has been taken to kennels."
The force confirmed the incident involved an XL Bully and that their investigation is ongoing. This case will likely fuel further discussion about the effectiveness of the ban and the responsibilities of dog ownership.
