Mum whose son was savaged to death by XL Bully demands urgent promise

12 November 2023 , 14:00

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Emma Whitfield the mother of Jack Lis who was killed by a dangerous dog near his home in Caerphilly, South Wales (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

A mum whose son was killed by an XL Bully says banning them is not enough and that the law must ­target selfish breeders too.

Emma Whitfield says backyard breeders have blood on their hands after the death of her son Jack Lis aged 10 in 2021. The Government announced a ban on the XL Bully after Emma joined forces with the Mirror to demand action.

But Emma, who on November 8 faced the second anniversary of her heartbreaking loss, told the Mirror: “This ban does not solve everything. The bad breeders, irresponsible owners and sellers are still at large with many other breeds. We need tougher sentences so people think twice about their irresponsible actions.”

Jack Lis, aged ten (Emma Whitfield)

She says Jack was failed not only by the owner of the dog that killed him but also by the breeders who supplied it and by the weak justice system. Jack was killed by a dog called Beast when he visited a pal’s house in Caerphilly, South Wales. Emma said Beast’s breeders gave him away instead of selling him, ­admitting he had aggression issues.

The 33-year-old went on: “The ­original owners used the dog that killed Jack to breed from. No charges were brought because they used the clear loopholes in legislation.” She said of the dog’s owner: “CCTV released by Gwent Police showed him beating the dog over and over.”

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'Beast,' the seven stone American bully or XL bully dog that mauled 10-year-old boy Jack Lis to death (REX/Shutterstock)

Owner Brandon Hayden, then 19, was in June 2022 sentenced to four-and-a-half years in a young offender institution. Amy Salter, then 29, was jailed for three years after admitting being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog. Beast was shot dead at the scene of the attack.

Addressing unscrupulous dog owners, Emma added: “Just think about what you are doing. Do you really need to pump out numerous litters of puppies to make money? Do you need to be treating your dog in such a violent way? These deaths will go on until root causes are tackled.”

She went on: “A parent should not have to bury their child due to the ignorance and greed of others.” The American bully XL is being added to the list of banned dogs in England and Wales on February 1. Exemptions can be applied for.

The Mirror is calling for an overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act and an advertising campaign to promote responsible dog ownership.

Lucy Thornton