A 19-year-old woman has died after she was attacked by a dog suspected to be an XL Bully, Avon and Somerset Police have said.
Two people have been arrested following the incident in Bristol. The dog has been put down.
Officers were called to a flat in Cobhorn Drive in the Hartcliffe area at 7.19pm on Wednesday. They attended alongside the ambulance service but despite their efforts the victim died at the scene.
A man and a woman, both aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a prohibited breed of dog, and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. They remain in police custody.
The dog was sedated and seized before being assessed by veterinary experts.
The woman’s family have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer, Avon and Somerset Police said.
The XL Bully ban came into effect on 1 February 2024. Since then it has been a criminal offence to own this breed of dog without an exemption certificate.
The deadline for submitting applications for exemption certificates was 12pm on 31 January 2024. New exemptions can only be authorised by a court order.
It followed an earlier ban on rehoming, selling or transferring ownership of XL Bullies, which began on 31 December 2023.
Owners without an exemption certificate face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully type, and their dog could be seized.
XL Bullies must also be microchipped and neutered and kept in a secure place to prevent them from escaping. It’s also an offence to:
Neighbourhood Inspector Terry Murphy said: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of the young woman who’s tragically died as a result of yesterday evening’s incident. They have been updated and will be supported by a family liaison officer.
“I’d also like to thank the officers and paramedics who attended yesterday evening and tried to save her life. Support is in place for them.
“A full investigation is now well under way to establish the full circumstances of the events that led to her death. As part of this work, Cobhorn Drive was closed last night and I thank everyone for their patience and understanding about our need to do this.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, including neighbourhood officers, and if you have any concerns please do speak to them.”
Speaking at a press conference in Bristol on Thursday, Insp Murphy declined to comment on whether the woman who died lived at the address or if there had been previous police contact with the household.
Police have appealed for anyone with any information to contact them.
There have been a series of fatal incidents involving XL Bullies or other breeds.
Esther Martin, 68, died from her injuries after being attacked by two dogs in the Essex village of Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, in February last year.
In October 2023, a woman was injured after she was attacked by her own American XL Bully in Norfolk.
A month earlier, 52-year-old Ian Price died in hospital after being attacked by two American XL Bullies in Stonnall, Staffordshire,
In November 2021, Jack Lis, 10, was killed by an American XL Bully while at a friend’s house in Caerphily, South Wales.
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