Witnesses reported that a 4×4 car pulled up at a park and abandoned an XL Bully dog, which was later destroyed, despite showing no signs of aggression or causing injuries. The petrified animal, without a collar or muzzle, had to be subdued with food while police were called. Residents described the incident as “horrendous” as police instructed them to stay indoors and parents hurried their children into cars. The dog was abandoned at Croxteth Hall and Country Park in Liverpool, and was not located until the following day after it ran into a nearby garden.
Merseyside Police confirmed that there are seven times more XL Bullys in the UK than originally estimated, with more than 55,000 being registered for a ban exemption certificate. It is now illegal to engage in activities related to XL Bully dogs, including breeding, selling, advertising, exchanging, gifting, rehoming, abandoning, or allowing the dogs to stray. An additional 15,000 to 20,000 XL Bullys are believed to be unregistered, bringing the total estimate to around 70,000. The Mirror’s Time for Action on Danger Dogs campaign is advocating for tougher penalties on owners of dogs that are dangerously out of control and stricter rules on breeders.
Police reported that the XL Bully dog was not displaying any aggression or causing injuries when it was abandoned in the park. Officers were unable to seize the dog until the following morning when it was found in a nearby residential garden. As the dog was considered a stray, it was handed over to Liverpool City Council’s animal warden team and subsequently humanely destroyed. Merseyside Police urged anyone with information on stray dogs to report to the council. The incident sparked concern among witnesses, who called armed police to the scene and described the abandonment as a distressing experience.
The XL Bully dog was abandoned at Croxteth Hall and Country Park, prompting horrified witnesses to report the incident to authorities. The ordeal led to police instructing residents to stay indoors and parents to quickly gather their children into cars. The dog, discovered with no collar or muzzle, was said to have caused no injuries or displayed signs of aggression. Despite this, it was destroyed after being found the next day in a nearby garden. The incident shed light on the increasing population of XL Bullys in the UK and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such abandonment and mistreatment of animals, as advocated by The Mirror’s campaign.
With the rise in XL Bully dog numbers in the UK, concerns over animal welfare and responsible ownership have become more pressing. The incident at Croxteth Hall and Country Park underscored the distressing consequences of abandonment and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations. Police efforts to handle the situation and contact the relevant authorities demonstrate the importance of community involvement in reporting such incidents. The call for tougher penalties and regulations on dog ownership and breeding highlights the ongoing efforts to protect animals and ensure their well-being. The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership and the consequences of neglect and mistreatment on innocent animals.
