Woman seriously injured by XL bully in own home

A woman has been seriously injured after being savaged by an XL Bully dog in her home.

Emergency services rushed to the address after the woman was attacked by the crazed mutt in the quaint market town of Holt, Norfolk, on Tuesday.

It is believed she had been trying to break up a fight between two dogs at the property when the animals turned on her just before midnight.

The terrified victim, aged in her 20s, was able to barricade herself in the bathroom to escape the snarling hound before shouting for help from the window.

A neighbour heard the screams and dialled 999 before police and fire crews arrived at the scene on Pheasant Close, a quiet cul-de-sac on the edge of the town.

Residents said firefighters had to help the woman escape from the property through a window to avoid the dogs.

The victim was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where she remains being treated for her injuries.

Norfolk Police confirmed one of the dogs, an XL Bully, has since been destroyed and the force has launched an investigation.

The other animal - which neighbours have described as a pitbull-type dog - has been seized by officers and experts are trying to determine its breed.

Restrictions on XL Bully ownership came into force on February 1, 2024, and it is an offence to own one without an exemption certificate.

The government introduced the changes after a series of attacks involving the breed.

Government officials say there have been 23 deaths caused by dog attacks since the start of 2021, with XL Bullies “disproportionately involved”.

It is illegal to own an XL Bully without a certificate and is also an offence to sell, abandon, give away, breed or walk one without a lead and muzzle.