The family of a baby mauled by an XL bully described how it clenched its jaw on the top of her head and threw her around the room ‘like a rag doll’.
Arabella Williams, just five months old, was attacked by the family pet at her grandmother’s house in Kent.
The dog, named Hunter, turned on the tot without provocation, her aunt, Stephanie Coombs, told Metro.
She said the dog had been through behavioural checks required by law after XL bullies attacked a number of people.
She claimed Kent Police had given Hunter the green light to be with the family and he had not previously attacked anyone else.
Ms Coombs, 33, from Folkestone told Metro: ‘I had a text to say the baby had been attacked. Apparently everything was fine, there was no lead up to it.
‘The baby was at her grans. She went to get something from her handbag and the dog switched. He grabbed the baby by the top of her head like a claw machine and swung her around like a ragdoll. Her head was badly injured. She is in the ICU – it was touch and go last night. We are praying she’s going to be ok.’
She said the dog had all the hallmarks of a loving pet who even cuddled up to the baby in her cot.
On February 1, 2024, the XL Bully became the fifth breed to be banned in the UK.
The other banned breeds are Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.
They are managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
She added: ‘He just flipped whether it was a noise or the food on the room we don’t know. He switched in an instant. The police came and he was shot. The baby’s mother got a broken finger trying to get the dog’s jaws open to release the head. It’s heartbreaking.’
She called for a complete ban on XL bullies adding: ‘They should all be destroyed they can’t be trusted. Why did the police give the dog back to the fdniky after taking it in for tests. How many families will have to go through these tragedies? It’s got to stop.’
She said Hunter was owned by the baby’s brother who has autism and had been advised a dog may help his condition.
She added: ‘They should not be in custody the police could have stopped this when the dog was checked out.’
Kent Police have since confirmed that the dog who attacked the girl was seized and later put down.
Two people have also been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
A spokesperson for the police said: ‘An 18-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
‘They remain in custody while enquiries continue.
‘Officers will remain in the area while enquiries are carried out and to provide reassurance to the local community.’
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