A DOG believed to be an XL Bully has died after being Tasered by cops following reports of men with machetes at a park
Cops were urgently called to Nutsford Vale Park in Levenshulme, Manchester, on Friday at around 6pm.
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The animal was “released” by a man, Greater Manchester Police said, in an attempt to evade arrest.
“Several tactics were utilised in an attempt to safely restrain the dog,” GMP added in a statement.
“To mitigate the danger posed to the public and officers at the scene, the dog was tasered.”
The animal later died and a 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of robbery.
Another 16-year-old was detained on suspicion of robbery and possession of a bladed article.
Both were being questioned by detective today and the incident has been referred to GMP's Professional Standards Directorate for review.
The dog's owners said they were “devastated”, claiming the animal was registered, insured and muzzled.
They said the pet wasn't interested in the police and was “focused on [its] owner”.
Video of the incident seen by the Manchester Evening News shows a hooded figure being restrained by police as the dog is seen barking before being Tasered.
A spokesperson for GMP said: “Shortly after 6pm last night (Friday 25 April) we were called to reports of men with machetes at Nutsford Vale Park.
“As officers arrived at the location, it's believed that one of the men released a large dog, believed to be an XL Bully, in an attempt to evade police.
“The dog was aggressive, and several tactics were utilised in an attempt to safely restrain the dog.
“To mitigate the danger posed to the public and officers at the scene, the dog was tasered.
“Sadly, it has since passed away.
“A 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of robbery, and another 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a bladed article.
“They remain in police custody.
“As per standard procedure, we have referred this to our Professional Standards Directorate who are reviewing the incident.”
DANGEROUS DOGS
The UK government website states it’s a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
This ban came in on 1 February 2024 and was due to a significant rise in reported attacks with multiple fatalities over the past few years.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
It’s also an offence to sell an XL Bully dog, abandon one, give the dog away, breed XL Bully's, or take the dog out in public without a lead or a muzzle.
Those who own an XL Bully without an exemption can face a criminal record and their pet may be taken and destroyed.
Fatal XL Bully attacks
A 10-year-old girl, locally named as Savannah, killed by her “new pet”, and XL Bully, on Friday November 1, 2024.
Woman in her 50s mauled to death at home by two XL Bully dogs in Hornchurch, East London on May 21, 2024.
Esther Martin, 68, was looking after her grandson in Jaywick, Essex, when dogs Bear and Beauty attacked her on February 3, 2024.
Ian “Scouse” Langley, 54, was protecting his puppy when the animal pounced on him outside a home in Sunderland in October 2023.
Ian Price, 52, was viciously savaged in September 2023 by the beasts as he tried to protect his elderly mum from them after they escaped.
Jonathan Hogg, 37, was killed in May 2023 entered the dog's pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg and head.
Natasha Johnston, 28, was mauled to death while walking a pack of dogs in January 2023 was believed to have been killed by her own pet – an American Bully XL.
Shirley Patrick, 83, died 17 days after being mauled in a “hellish”, violent dog attack in December 2022.
Ian Symes, 34, who was known to friends as “Wiggy”, died at a recreation ground in Fareham, Hampshire, after the savage attack in August 2022.
Joanne Robinson, 43, was fatally mauled by pet Rocco at her home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire in July 2022.
Keven Jones, 62, went into cardiac arrest after being bitten by Cookie-Doe at Chanel Fong's home in Wrexham, North Wales in May 2022.
Bella-Rae Birch, one, was mauled to death in March 2022 at her home by the American Bully XL.
Jack Lis, 10, was killed by a hulking XL Bully dog named Beast in November 2021 as he played at friend's home in Caerphilly.
