American XL bully dogs will be banned in Britain by the end of the year following a series of attacks, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.
He made the promise after it emerged a man has died after being attacked by two dogs - suspected to be bully XLs - in Staffordshire and following a video of another attack that went viral when an 11-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in Birmingham.
Mr Sunak said: "I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen. Yesterday we saw a another suspected XL bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.
"It is clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, it's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on."
He said he has ordered ministers to bring together police and experts to define the breed of dog behind these attacks so they can then be outlawed.
"We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year," he said.
"These dogs are dangerous, I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe."
Within minutes of Mr Sunak announcing the ban, a man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the attack in Staffordshire yesterday afternoon, police said.
The 30-year-old was previously detained on suspicion of being in charge of dogs dangerously out of control causing injury.
One of the dogs died after being restrained and the other died after an injection was given by a vet, the force said, adding that both were believed to be XL bullies but further tests are being carried out to determine their breed.
A 60-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out of control after the attack in Birmingham on Saturday that left an 11-year-old girl with injuries that required her to spend a night in hospital.
She suffered shoulder and arm wounds in the attack by an American XL bully and Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed puppy.
Two other men were also injured in the attack after the dog broke free from its collar twice.
Breeders, not dogs should be banned - charities
A coalition of animal charities, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the Kennel Club, said banning XL bullies will not stop attacks.
"The recent incidents are deeply distressing and our thoughts are with all those involved and affected," the Dog Control Coalition said.
"The biggest priority for everyone involved is to protect the public, but banning the breed will sadly not stop these types of incidents recurring.
"For 32 years, the Dangerous Dogs Act has focused on banning types of dog and yet has coincided with an increase in dog bites, and the recent deaths show that this approach isn't working.
"The UK government must tackle the root issue by dealing with the unscrupulous breeders who are putting profit before welfare, and the irresponsible owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control."
The coalition said any ban should be based on "robust evidence", adding that it was "deeply concerned about the lack of data behind this decision and its potential to prevent dog bites".
