XL Bully puppy found dead with serious head injuries on busy street after ban
An American XL Bully puppy was found dead and abandoned in the middle of a residential street with serious head injuries.
The tragic animal was discovered by a local dog walker dumped next to a bin inside a large dog crate at around 6.15pm on Wednesday (January 17).
The female puppy, understood to be aged six to nine-months-old, was hardly concealed under a blanket, and was found blood-stained with serious trauma to its head.
Volunteers from The Missing Paw Team UK, which helps find lost and stolen dogs, were called to the scene at Halcot Avenue in Bexleyheath, south east London - where the dog’s body was recovered and taken to the vets.
The puppy had distinctive grey Merle fur, uncommon in bully breeds, and is understood to have been dead between 24 and 36 hours before it was abandoned. Vets say the dog was hit over the head by a human with a blunt object, but found no other signs of abuse.
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The dog was found in a heavy, extra large crate, suggesting it was dropped off in a van or estate car and required at least two people to lift it. RSPCA officers are now investigating the animal's death.
Vicki Hudson, 52, founder of The Missing Paw Team, said: "A gentleman was out walking his dog and found this barely concealed crate lying in the road. It was in the middle of a public highway - whoever left it there wanted it to be found. It was not hidden well.
The puppy had distinctive grey Merle fur (Missing Paw UK)"The dog didn't appear to be injured until it was turned over and we saw the head injuries it had suffered. We took the poor thing to a vet in the vain hope it may be able to be saved - but it couldn't.
"She was killed by a single head trauma. You couldn't argue it was a road traffic accident because there would've been other signs, such as scuff marks on the paws and legs, which there wasn't.
"She looked in near-perfect condition otherwise. She was a little underweight, but not anything significant. She still had plenty of fat tissue and I couldn't feel her ribs. And her nails were in good condition. For all intents and purposes, she looked like a healthy dog. There were no other signs of abuse."
Vicki fears the puppy may have been dumped due to new government legislation, which has added XL bully dogs to the list of banned dangerous dogs in England and Wales.
From February 1, it will be illegal to own one without a certificate of exemption. XL Bully owners must apply to have their pet exempted - and comply with additional restrictions including having them neutered and having third-party liability insurance - at a cost of £92.40 by January 31.
The 52-year-old said: "She was probably abandoned by someone who'd been told they had an XL Bully type and would need to get her exempted, but they couldn't afford it. Post-Christmas, a lot of people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. But there's never an excuse for doing something like this.
"There are vets that are offering cheaper neutering schemes and there are ways of meeting the £92.40 fee."
The dog was dumped in a large cage-like dog crane (Missing Paw UK)Vicki believes the issue of XL Bullies being killed or abandoned will worsen as the end of the transition period approaches.
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The dog-walker, from Erith, south east London, added: "People will realise they have left it too late, or they will realise that they don't have the money to neuter as they can be quite pricey. So this is only likely to become more likely as the deadline looms.
"This ban is not going to stop the attacks. We saw it with Pit Bulls, we see it now. The Government is under pressure to do something but it won't work. Harsher sentences and harsher fines will make sure that the attacks will be only licensed breeders."
The 45kg puppy, which measured 16.5 inches tall at her shoulders, was not even big enough for the owners to have to apply for an exemption yet.
Vicki added: "She's wasn't yet big enough to need to be exempt and probably wouldn't have been for a while.
"The ban is also based on certain characteristics - such as scissor teeth, muscularity and a blocky head - and I couldn't seen any of those on her yet."
The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the cruel incident, urging anyone with CCTV or relevant information to come forward.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “This is a distressing and upsetting incident. We urge anyone who has any information to contact police on 101 or call our appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01210692.”
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