Lincolnshire Police Seize Dog Following Attack
A dog suspected of attacking a woman in Lincoln city centre has been apprehended by Lincolnshire Police. The animal was accused of being 'dangerously out of control', with two separate reports highlighting this behaviour. The female victim suffered a hand injury after being bitten by the dog.
The incident happened on Monday, September 18 when the police took the forceful action of seizing the dog. The breed of the dog remains indeterminate at this stage, although Lincolnshire Police refuted online rumours that the dog was an XL bully.
"We would like to reassure responsible dog owners that we will not seize a dog unless there are grounds to do so. In this case, those grounds were the two reports of the dog being dangerously out of control."
The Controversy Around XL Bullies
The subject of XL bullies has been under scrutiny following an incident in Birmingham. Shocking footage showed an XL bully breaking free from its collar and attacking shoppers, leaving an 11-year-old girl among the victims. This incident, alongside others, has seen an increased debate over the safety and control of certain breeds.
Tragically, on Friday, September 15, a 52-year-old man was fatally attacked by two dogs believed to be XL bullies, in Stonnall, West Midlands. Resultantly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for an investigation into the breed, confirming the breed will be outlawed by the end of the year. Despite these measures, some dog trainers and enthusiasts argue that with appropriate training, XL bullies can be safe animals to keep.