XL bully: Police demand video of fatal attack not to be shared

Updated 1 hour ago

Nicole Morey, 23, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene, Gardaí said.

The attack occurred at around 11.40pm BST on Tuesday in Ballyneety, County Limerick.

A Garda spokesman said officers from an armed support unit dispatched to the scene encountered a number of aggressive dogs.

They said one dog was killed and three others were confiscated.

It was said that the other dogs were suspected of belonging to a banned breed.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Garda said they were “aware that footage of this incident is currently circulating.”

“Out of respect for the deceased, her family and all her loved ones, we ask that you please post this footage on social media and/or messaging apps and, if you receive it, please do not share it,” it continued.

Irish Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said she was “absolutely horrified” by the woman’s death and sent her condolences to her family.

She said further action was needed on dog control and that she had set up a cross-government pressure group, chaired by retired Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey, to look into the issue.

“I have asked the group to review the list of restricted breeds in line with the measures taken in Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” she said in a statement.

“I am committed to working with colleagues across all areas of government to take all necessary action to strengthen our dog control laws.”

An XL Bully is the largest type of American Bully dog.

They are described as large dogs “with a muscular body and square head, suggesting great strength and power for (their) size.”

The ownership of XL Bullies is subject to strict controls in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

No breed of dog is banned in the Republic of Ireland.

Owners must obtain a special permit for their XL Bully and the dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash in public.

Speaking to BBC News NI, James Madden, who is also a veterinarian and a member of the working group looking into dog control measures in the Republic of Ireland, argued for a ban similar to that currently in place in the UK.

“It is their potential for injury that makes these dogs so dangerous. They are incredibly strong and can cause serious damage with the power of their jaws,” he said.

“We are seeing more and more XL Bullies in the Republic because sales and breeding are not restricted here and more and more people want them, so there is a market here.”

Mr Madden also works on training dog catchers and said he is hearing more and more reports of aggressive XL bullies attacking people.