A "dangerously out of control" XL Bully dog was shot dead last night after it attacked four men in South London.
The attack, near Home Road in Battersea, saw all four victims taken to hospital, while two people have been arrested on suspicion of being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called shortly after 10pm on Monday, March 18 to reports of a dog - described as an XL Bully - that was dangerously out of control and attacking people in the vicinity of Home Road, SW11.
"Due to the threat posed to the public by the dog, armed officers attended.
The dog, described as an XL Bully, was attacking people in the vicinity of Home Road, Battersea
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"After assessing the situation, officers took the difficult decision to destroy the dog and it was shot.
"Four men - all members of the public - were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries sustained during the dog attack. None of their injuries are life-threatening."
Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea, said: "I am deeply concerned to hear about the XL bully dog attack that happened on Battersea Park Road yesterday evening.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims injured in the attack, and for their full recovery.
MORE XL BULLY NEWS:
Marsha de Cordova highlighted the illegality of owning an XL Bully without an exemption certificate in a statement online
PA/UK Parliament
"I am in contact with the police and their enquiries are ongoing.
"New laws have come into force that make it illegal to own an American XL Bully dog without an exemption certificate.
"It is vital that there is strong enforcement to make sure owners comply with the legislation."
In England and Wales, the breed has been added to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and as de Cordova pointed out, it is a criminal offence to own one.
The Certificate of Exemption - which allows owners to keep their XL Bullies if they had owned them before the ban was enforced - can no longer be applied for, and government guidance says owners without a certificate should contact their local police force.
Nearly 40,000 XL Bully dogs are thought to still be on Britain’s streets despite a ban on the breed being introduced - according to the banned breeds register, some 38,424 dogs were granted the £92 exemption to avoid being put down.
Estimates suggest there have been as many as 24 deaths linked to the breed since 2021.
Police have asked any members of the public with information that could help enquiries to call 101, quoting CAD7620/19Mar.