A suspected American XL bully dog was seized during a police raid after a man was bitten on the arm in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Hertfordshire Police said officers arrested a man in his 20s at a property in Wisden Road on Thursday on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. He remained in custody after the arrest.
The force said the action followed an incident on Saturday at a house in the same street, where another man was attacked and required hospital treatment for a bite injury to his arm. Police did not release details about the extent of the man’s injuries, but confirmed that the dog involved was suspected to be an XL bully type.
American XL bully dogs are subject to legal restrictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Since 31 December 2023, it has been illegal to sell, give away, abandon or breed from an XL bully in the UK. From 1 February 2024, it also became a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate. The restrictions were introduced following concerns about public safety and attacks involving the breed.
The seizure and arrest in Stevenage came after police responded to reports of a dog attack in the neighbourhood. Officers attended the property on Wisden Road and removed the animal as part of the investigation. Hertfordshire Police said inquiries are ongoing.
Dangerous dog offences can lead to prosecution if an owner is found to have allowed an animal to be out of control in a public or private place where it causes injury. In this case, police are examining the circumstances of both the attack and the dog’s ownership. No further details were immediately provided about whether the dog had an exemption certificate or whether additional suspects are being investigated.
The incident has drawn attention to continuing enforcement of the XL bully restrictions, which remain in place across England and Wales. Owners of dogs believed to be XL bullies must comply with the law, including securing exemption and following conditions around muzzling and leashing in public where applicable.
Hertfordshire Police did not say when the seized dog would be assessed or whether it would remain in kennels while the case is investigated. The force also did not confirm whether the man arrested was the owner of the dog, only that he was detained on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control.
Residents in Stevenage have been advised to remain alert and report any concerns involving dangerous dogs to the police. The investigation into the attack on Wisden Road is continuing.
