Nine-Month-Old Baby Dies Following Dog Attack in Wales
Rogiet, Wales - A nine-month-old baby boy died Sunday evening following an attack by a dog at a private residence in Gwent, Wales. Emergency services pronounced the infant dead at the scene at approximately 6 p.m.
The dog involved has been identified as a six-year-old XL bully, a breed added to the list of banned dogs in England adn Wales in late 2023 under the Risky Dogs Act following a series of fatal attacks. Despite the ban, the dog in this incident had been proactively registered with the department for Surroundings, food and Rural Affairs and was issued a certificate of exemption earlier in 2024.
Gwent Police confirmed the dog was sedated and removed from the property before being euthanized by a veterinarian. Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend stated, “While the dog in this case was registered as an XL bully, it was done so proactively, before the ban came into effect.” She further explained that owners seeking exemption certificates were not required to formally identify the dog’s breed, and official breed determination can only be made by a Dog Legislation Officer or a court-approved assessor.
An examination is ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time.The baby boy was pronounced dead by Welsh Ambulance Service staff.
The American XL bully is a relatively new breed, developed in the 1990s as the largest variation of the American bully type, which also includes pocket and standard bullies. It is indeed believed to have been bred from breeds including the American pit bull terrier, which has been banned in the UK as 1991. Adult males can weigh over 57kg (9st) and are characterized by a heavy bone structure and muscular build.
Recent data indicates a significant increase in seizures of XL bullies. A freedom of details request by Radar revealed that 3,464 suspected XL bullies were seized in 2024, representing approximately half of the 7,004 banned or dangerous dogs seized by 36 police forces in England and Wales. This makes the XL bully the most frequently seized breed under dangerous dog legislation.
