‘XL Bully’ shot dead by police after attacking four people in Battersea

The suspected XL Bully bit four men close to Battersea Park Road

A dog thought to be an XL Bully was shot dead after it attacked four people on a rampage close to a south London high street.

Two people have been arrested following the attack near Battersea Park Road, at 10pm on Monday.

One witness said he heard a man shouting “Help me” and a large grey pitbull-type dog with its jaws clamped down on his hand.

Emergency services at the scene on Battersea Park Road following the attack (PA)

He told The Independent: “There was a lady who came out and was trying to help him. The dog was more powerful - he wasn’t letting go of the hand. The man ran and jumped on a moving car bonnet to try and get away.”

He added four or five people tried to beat the dog in an attempt to get it to drop the man’s hand. But the dog turned on more people and began another attack.

“He was heading towards Battersea Power Station and attacked another man at the bridge,” he said.

“It was crazy; I have never seen anything like it.”

Four or five people reportedly tried to beat the dog in an attempt to get it to drop the man’s hand (PA)

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police were called to reports of a dog – described as an XL Bully – that was dangerously out of control and attacking people in the vicinity of Home Road, SW11.

“Due to the threat posed to the public by the dog, armed officers attended. After assessing the situation, officers took the difficult decision to destroy the dog and it was shot.

“Four men – all members of the public - were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries sustained during the dog attack. None of their injuries are life-threatening.”

Police arrested two people, a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, on suspicion of being the owner in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. Both remain in custody.

None of the injuries were life-threatening but the dog was shot (PA)

Police said a thorough examination of the dog will take place to work out its specific breed.

Marsha de Cordova, MP for Battersea, posted on X: ”I am deeply concerned to hear about the XL Bully dog attack that happened on Battersea Park Road yesterday evening.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims injured in the attack, and for their full recovery. I am in contact with the police and their enquiries are ongoing.”

She added: “New laws have come into force that make it illegal to own an American XL Bully dog without an exemption certificate. It is vital that there is strong enforcement to make sure owners comply with the legislation.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD7620/19Mar.