10-year-old girl seriously injured after attack by unregistered XL bully in South Yorkshire | UK news

A 10-year-old girl was hospitalized after being attacked by an unregistered XL bully.

Police were called to a property at Belvedere in Balby, Doncaster, shortly after 10am on Monday.

The dog had aggressively attacked the child in the garden of the house, dragging her head from side to side and biting her neck, causing her serious injuries.

The bleeding was brought under control and the child’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Owners of XL Bullies must register their dogs under British law and follow strict rules since the breed was banned already in February.

Yesterday, a 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of owning a prohibited breed of dog, keeping dogs in dangerous enclosures and child neglect.

Two young people aged 13 and 15 were also arrested. They are accused of letting a dog run dangerously uncontrolled and of owning a prohibited breed of dog.

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All three have now been released from custody, but the dog is still in the police kennel.

Chief Inspector Emma Cheney called on owners to “take action and take responsibility” to ensure everyone’s safety.

“This incident could have had a tragic ending and could have been fatal,” she said.

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“We continue to urge people to stop thinking, ‘It happens to me.’ Owners must take responsibility, understand their dog and its behavior, and ensure everyone’s safety.”

South Yorkshire Police also advised dog owners to keep their animals on a lead in public, avoid marked footpaths, keep an eye on the animal at all times and remember that not everyone likes dogs.

It comes as a woman in her 30s died after being attacked by a lapdog in Coventry.

West Midlands Police said on Monday they did not believe the dog was a banned breed.