A woman whose son was attacked by an American XL Bully said she felt “validated” by plans to ban the breed.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman recently tweeted that she wanted the breed to be banned after a string of attacks by the dogs.

Now, mum Imogen has backed the plans after her eight-year-old son was bitten five times by a dog outside her house.

Imogen, who did not wish to be fully named, said: “We felt validated in our concerns and a little more heard.

The Argus: Imogen's son who was bitten by an American XL BullyImogen's son who was bitten by an American XL Bully (Image: Imogen)

“If my son sees the dog now he freezes, it's quite upsetting to see. Having a child who has been attacked by one of these dogs you realise it’s a huge amount of people and their pets being attacked.

“I’m strongly in favour of the ban. Why would someone want to own an animal that can kill a human within 60 seconds.”

Imogen’s eight-year-old son was attacked by the XL Bully while playing near his home in Burgess Hill and needed hospital treatment for puncture wounds and cuts.

He was bitten five times before the owner of the dog managed to pull it off of him.

MOST READ:

She added that her son, who has autism, now struggles to take part in activities such as canine therapy due to problems with the dogs.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman called on the American XL Bully to be banned in the UK after an 11-year-old was attacked by a dog in Birmingham.

The Argus: An American BullyAn American Bully (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

In reaction to the attack, she tweeted: “This is appalling. The American XL bully is a clear and lethal danger to our communities, particularly to children. We can’t go on like this. I have commissioned urgent advice on banning them.”

XL Bullys are a breed of bulldog specifically bred for their size.

Imogen added that she can’t see any reason why anyone would want to oppose the ban, adding that it was in the best interests of the dogs who can suffer from health problems due to inbreeding.