Dog savaged to death by two XL bullies in Brighton

The brutal attack happened on Saturday night in Mackie Avenue, Patcham, while a woman was walking her dog.

One XL bully was said to have escaped from a house and violently “shook” the animal, which was described as a poodle type dog.

A witness said there was “blood everywhere” and said the smaller dog looked “like a rag on the floor” after the attack.

File image of an American XL bully dog (Image: Lee Hudson/Alamy/PA)

“I was right behind the woman, the dog appeared from an alleyway,” said the witness, who asked to remain anonymous.

“It immediately grabbed her dog and shook it. She desperately tried to get it off. I started to shout saying ‘who’s dog is this?’. After a minute, which felt like forever, a man came out and tried to remove the dog from this smaller dog.

“It was horrendous, there was blood everywhere. He got the dog off but another slightly larger dog then appeared and also attacked the small dog.

“He could not remove the larger dog which was clamped on to the smaller dog.”

“I tried to console the woman, several people were outside at that point as well. She wanted to get to a vet but no one had a car. I went to get my car but when I returned the dog and other people had all left but police were there. I gave a statement to the police.

“The dog was dead. It was shaken to bits. She had blood all over her.

File picture of an XL bully dog (Image: Jacob King/PA)

“I think she hurt her hands on the teeth of the dog trying to get it off.

“I think people assume that there are really few of these dogs around. I think people think this is generally confined to poorer neighbourhoods but it can happen anywhere.

“I felt sorry for the man. These may be loving pets but he was completely powerless. These dogs are so strong.

“It was awful. The smaller dog looked like a rag on the floor not a dog.

“Even if these dogs have to wear muzzles in public, they can still escape from their homes. We will see more of these attacks.”

The two XL bullies were seized by Sussex Police. The force said they are holding them in a secure kennel while an order for their destruction is sought “to ensure the safety of the public”.

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XL Bullies became illegal to own from February 1 this year unless owners have a special exemption which they needed to apply for before the deadline.

Owners with exempt XL bullies must have third-party liability insurance which is insurance against their pet injuring other people.

The dog must be microchipped and neutered.

Exempt dogs have restrictions on them such as being muzzled in public and not being allowed off leads.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called to Mackie Avenue in Brighton at around 8.20pm on Saturday, April 13, to a report of a dog having been killed by another dog.

“The dog’s owner also suffered minor injuries in the incident.

“The aggressor dog was reported to have escaped from an address nearby.

“Officers attended and two XL Bully dogs were seized.”