Woman dies after registered XL thugs attack house in east London

A woman in her 50s has died after being attacked by her two registered XL thugs at a house in east London.

The woman was treated by paramedics at the home in Cornwall Close, Hornchurch, but died at the scene on Monday afternoon.

The two dogs were seized by armed officers after they were held in a room.

It is believed to be the first fatal XL Bully dog ​​attack known to have been recorded under new laws.

After the attack, a blue forensic tent was set up outside the woman’s home on the small residential street.

The family of the woman who owned the dog is being supported by officers, the Metropolitan Police said.

From February 1st, it became an offence in England and Wales to own the Bully breed XL without an exemption certificate.

The government’s move to ban XL bullies followed a series of attacks on people.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 16 deaths due to dog attacks in 2023, a sharp increase compared to previous years where the number had been in the single digits.

At the end of 2023, about 60% of dogs kept in police kennels were bull breeds.

Dog trainer Michaela Scott, who lives in Hornchurch near the house where the woman died, said such attacks could be frightening for people who don’t work with the breed.

“It’s really sad for the person, for the neighbors, for the local community,” she said.

Ms Scott, who specializes in working with XL bully dogs, said there were “quite a few” people with the breed in the area.

She said demand from owners for her training program to help their dogs adapt to the new rules had increased.

“Owners want to do the right thing for their dog,” she said. “They want to know how to keep their dog and everyone else safe.”

Any owner of one of these dogs must have their animal neutered, microchipped, and muzzled and on a leash in public, among other requirements.