Dog ban for XL bully owner after attack on woman

A man has been banned from keeping dogs for two years after a woman was attacked and seriously injured by his unregistered XL bully.

The animal's destruction was also ordered during a hearing at Sheffield Magistrates' Court in which 47-year-old Davy Foy, of Fife Street, Shiremoor, was absent.

Armed police had found a woman with serious wounds to her body when they were called to the scene in the early hours of 4 July 2024.

Ch Insp Emma Cheney, dangerous dogs lead for South Yorkshire Police, described how the victim required hospital treatment as a result of the incident.

New laws around the ownership of XL bully dogs in England and Wales came into force from the start of 2024, including the need for exemption certificates.

The court that following the change in legislation, Foy failed to register his dog.

Ch Insp Cheney added: "He was not a responsible dog owner and didn't have his pet's best interests at heart."

The force also revealed that keeping the animal in police kennels since the attack had cost the taxpayer £6,000.

Foy was found to be harbouring the dog in the back garden of a property before it was seized by police.

The court granted a destruction order after hearing that the XL bully posed a risk to people "within proximity" of it.

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