Witness describes hiding behind bin during XL Bully attack fearing 'he was next'

11 September 2023 , 16:28

713 0

A 'terrified resident has told of the ‘horrific’ moment he ‘hid behind a bin’ to escape an ‘XL bully’ that unleashed a brutal attack on three people, including a girl aged just 11.

Shocking video footage of the attack shows Ana Paun being pulled down to the floor by the dog before two men intervene. The two men had injuries on their arms and shoulders, while Ana was bitten on her arm. Jonathan Ullah, 37, who lives just a couple of roads away from the attack in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, was walking past as it happened. He described fearing he would be next in the terrifying attack.

Speaking from her home near the scene earlier today, Anna said: "At the time I just felt panic. I went to the shop with my sister. The dog was staring at me. He jumped on my arm and bit me. It was so scary. I was screaming. He let my arm go and then bit my shoulder. I feel a bit better now. I went in the ambulance.

"I want him [the dog] to go away, to die. I think all of the dogs, the bulldogs, all of them should be banned." Her mum, who wished to remain unnamed, added: "She's fine. She's been to hospital but she's fine, recovering now. I'm thanking God she is alive."

Witness describes hiding behind bin during XL Bully attack fearing 'he was next' qeituixtihrinv

Ana Paun was bitten on her arm by the American XL Bully dog (Anita Maric / SWNS)

Mr Ullah described to Birmingham Live the ‘horrific’ sight of the raging dog biting members of the public and said he ‘feared he would be next'. "I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. “It was horrible – the dog was running around trying to bite people at random. I feel so sad for the little girl and her family.

Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probe

"She was bitten really badly and was crying her eyes out. I hid behind a bin as it was happening – I thought I was going to be next. I felt sick after it happened.” The shocking attack prompted Home Secretary Suella Braverman to demand a ban on the American Bully XL dog in the wake of the attack. She said the breed was a "clear and lethal danger" to children. The Home Secretary called the attack “appalling” and has revealed she has commissioned urgent advice on banning American XL bully dogs.

Witness describes hiding behind bin during XL Bully attack fearing 'he was next'

Johnathan Ullah had to hide during the dog attack (Birmingham Live)

Another witness, Nasir Uddin, said: “A girl was bitten by a brown dog and [it] locked on. By the time I went up to the dog with a bar I had in the car, it released the girl. It then went after a boy. My little girl and wife were screaming.” He said the dog was not on a lead.

A statement from West Midlands Police today read: "We are continuing to investigate after three people were injured when a dog broke free from its collar in Bordesley Green on Saturday afternoon.

"The crossbreed Bully XL/Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy chased an 11-year-old girl and she sustained serious injuries to her shoulder and forearms. She was treated in hospital and is now recovering at home. Several people rushed to her aid and as the dog broke free from its owner a second time, a 20-year-old man was chased across a garage forecourt and was taken to hospital with bites to his shoulder and forearm, along with cuts and bruises from being dragged across the floor.

Do you think American XL bully dogs should be banned? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

"Another man also suffered injuries and presented himself at hospital for treatment. We wish them a speedy recovery. The dog was seized by officers and taken to a vet suffering from heat exhaustion. He has now been taken into secure kennels and our dog unit will consider what will happen to it.

"The dog’s owner is currently in hospital and we will be speaking to him in due course. This was an alarming and shocking incident on a busy road in high temperatures and members of the public showed immense courage in tackling such a ferocious dog. We are taking statements from the victims and witnesses, and will have increased patrols in the area for anyone who would like to speak to us."

In the aftermath of the attack, Home Secretary Suella Braverman pushed for a ban on American bully XL dogs, saying they are a "clear and lethal danger", particularly to children. The Cabinet minister announced she has commissioned "urgent advice" on outlawing the dogs after she highlighted the "appalling" attack.

However, adding dogs to the banned list is the responsibility of Environment Secretary Therese Coffey's department, where it is understood there are concerns over the feasibility of adding the American Bully. The dog is not a recognised as a specific breed by the Kennel Club. It could be hard to define and a ban could inadvertently outlaw a range of other dogs, some fear.

Referring to the attack in Birmingham, Ms Braverman wrote: "This is appalling. The American XL Bully is a clear and lethal danger to our communities, particularly to children. We can't go on like this. I have commissioned urgent advice on banning them." The advice was commissioned last week, an adviser said.