Puppy killed in savage dog attack by suspected XL Bully as owner heartbroken

20 October 2023 , 10:28

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Puppy killed in savage dog attack by suspected XL Bully as owner heartbroken

A dog owner has spoken of her heartache after her new puppy was killed by a suspected XL Bully in a savage dog attack.

Claire Cooper was walking Rodney and her other springer spaniel, Purdey, in West Bromwich on Wednesday when the horrific attack took place at around 12.50pm. Ms Cooper, a senior nurse, said two large dogs rushed towards her and knocked her to the ground as she tried to pick up Rodney - who she had for just two weeks.

When she looked up, she saw Purdey was being chased by one dog while Rodney was in the other animal's mouth and being bitten on the back. The distraught 45-year-old said the dogs' owner called them back to the house but Rodney was lying critically-ill in a pool of blood while Purdey was seriously injured.

Claire Cooper's dog was killed in a suspected XL Bully dog attack (stock image) (Getty Images)

Claire rushed her two dogs to the vets where she was told Rodney had sustained catastrophic injuries and would die. She told the Express & Star: "They X-rayed him and the vet told me that his skull had been crushed. They said there was no chance of survival."

Claire and her family are now worried that Rodney's death will have on Purdey, who was already a nervous dog. She had stopped eating when the family's other dog, Tolley, died a few months ago. She said: "She was scared of people, but when she saw people starting to fuss Rodney, she started to get better with people. But she's been really quiet since Rodney died."

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Claire said she has been told that the dog who fatally attacked Rodney was an XL Bully - a breed which has hit the headlines over the last months due to a spate of attacks and is due to be banned at the end of the year. "I do agree with them banning the breed. The Government's got to do something.," Claire said.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called just before 3pm on October 18 by a woman reporting that a dog, thought to be an XL Bully, had attacked her two dogs and knocked her to the ground in James Watt Street, West Bromwich. Enquiries are at an early stage and anyone with information has been asked to get in touch, quoting log 2784 of October 18."

The Mirror is campaigning to overhaul the Dangerous Dogs Act

The Mirror is campaigning to overhaul the Dangerous Dogs Act as Brits continue to be killed or seriously injured in vicious dog attacks

The Mirror's demands are...

1) The overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act. An Urgent review of the law is needed and tougher penalties should be considered.

2) Enforce the rules to stop the illegal and irresponsible breeding and selling of dogs.

3) A public information campaign to promote the importance of responsible dog ownership and the need for training.

Lorraine King