Thames Valley Police is investigating after a suspected off-leash XL Bully attacked and killed a woman’s mall white schnauzer and poodle mixed-breed in Banbury, Oxfordshire
A suspected XL Bully off its leash attacked and killed another dog in a horror incident this week, as police hunt the owner of the killer animal.
A woman was walking her beloved pet, a small white schnauzer and poodle mixed-breed, into a field between St Peters Church and Hanwell Fields in Banbury, Oxfordshire yesterday. When they got to the field however, her dog was attacked by another which was not on a lead, tragically killing the victim’s dog. The owners of the suspected XL Bully – a man and a woman – recalled their dog and fled the scene before police could arrive.
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Investigating officer, PC Alex Ward based at Banbury police station, said: “We are investigating this incident in which a dog has been killed. We are appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to please come forward.
“Additionally we would ask anyone who was driving in the area yesterday morning to please check their dash-cam should it has captured anything that could assist our investigation.
“Anyone with information relating to the incident should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43250146912.
“Alternatively, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
The first offender is described as a white woman, around 5ft 5ins tall. She had blond hair which was tied back in a low pony-tail and was wearing a blue gilet and blue jeans.
The second offender is described as a white man and was wearing all black. The offenders had two dogs, which had grey and silver coat pattern and white chests, and are both suspected to be XL bullies, but enquiries are ongoing to ascertain the breed.
Seven people have so far succumbed to fatal XL Bully attacks in the past 12 months, and experts fear there may be further bloodshed to come. Since February 1, 2024, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.
Criminologist Dr Simon Harding believes socioeconomic factors are at play for the continued attacks. The expert told the Mirror: “I noticed the attacks – dreadful. Sadly, these types of dogs are very much linked to poverty, and poverty persists.
“The owners of such animals will often treat them poorly and deny them proper food or exercise or living accommodation.
“Aggression is often built into such dogs deliberately. All of these factors heighten the probability of an attack. Specific circumstances at the time will determine if that attack is fatal or not.”
