A WOMAN who was attacked by a suspected XL Bully said that the breed's ban is "necessary and proportionate" after a number of serious incidents in St Helens and across the country.
After a dangerously out of control "XL Bully" ran riot in Newton-le-Willows last month and attacked three dogs and three women, one of the people involved set up a petition to try and add the breed to the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The petition has reached more than 25,000 signatures, but after more serious attacks have been reported, including a fatal incident in Walsall, the government has intervened and confirmed that the breed will be added to the Act.
This means that it will become illegal to sell or breed XL Bullies, while current owners will have to register their dogs and take actions including using a muzzle in public.
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As the Dangerous Dogs Act petition was started in Newton, it attracted a lot of local support after a number of attacks involving an XL Bully have been reported around the region.
In addition to the Newton incident, this has included an incident where a dog, which is believed to have been an XL Bully, had to be put down after it attacked a woman on Frodsham Drive, Blackbrook, on Friday, August 25.
Another "XL Bully type" savagely attacked a four-month old Border Collier in front of its pregnant owner on Station Road, Sutton, in June, while the tragedy of one-year-old Bella-Rae Birch, who died from a dog attack in Blackbrook last year, also involved an XL Bully.
There have also been cases regionally, including a fatal attack in Leigh in August, by a dog which is believed to have been an XL Bully.
Jackie Mahoney, a Newton mum and dog owner who set up the petition, said: "I'm very pleased that the petition looks to have helped to influence significant change because I truly believe that a ban is necessary and proportionate after all the incidents that have been reported.
"I'm actually a little sad that it has taken this long to take action because attacks have continued to happen and these could have been prevented.
"I understand that owners of this breed are emotionally committed to their dog, just like I am, and they believe their dog wouldn't attack anyone.
"But I think to not acknowledge the bigger picture dismisses the absolute devastation that this breed has caused, and will continue to cause unless something is done.
"I started the petition because I lived and experienced the power that this breed can have, and the attack still impacts me today. It makes me anxious and takes away the joy of walking my dog."
As the number of reported attacks from XL Bullies rises, more people in positions of authority have expressed their concerns about the breed. This included both MPs in St Helens, who sent statements about the breed before the ban was announced last Friday.
Marie Rimmer, MP for St Helens South & Whiston, said: “I am very much a dog lover and I think they are a great companion. I have enjoyed the company of dogs for large parts of my life.
"Yet at the end of the day, these XL Bully dogs are dangerous. This specific breed has been responsible for far too many attacks and even deaths.
"The Government needs to take urgent action and put it on the banned list of breeds.”
Conor McGinn, MP for St Helens North, added: "I have been horrified by reports of recent attacks by what are clearly dangerous dogs across St Helens.
"It is deeply concerning that the number of reported attacks from XL Bullies has risen across the country. It’s right that the Home Secretary had ordered a review on this specific type of dog, and I think the Dangerous Dogs Act more generally should be looked at too.
"We need to see the evidence and ensure any decision is in the interest of protecting the public while ensuring that the vast majority of dog owners in our community can continue to enjoy keeping these wonderful animals as pets and companions in a responsible way.”
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