A farmer near Wrexham, North Wales, has endured a devastating loss of more than £14,000 worth of livestock, as his land became the scene of a brutal attack by two XL bully dogs. Tragically, 22 sheep lost their lives, while dozens of others were injured in the shocking incident.
The ordeal unfolded when the two XL bully dogs ran amok on the farmer’s land, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.Express reported on Sunday, September 3,2023, that the farmer, in a courageous effort to protect his livestock, was ultimately forced to shoot both dogs dead after they escaped from their home and began attacking his animals.
Local police described the scene that the farmer confronted as “horrific.” Despite his numerous attempts to control the situation and subdue the dogs, he was left with no choice but to open fire when one of the animals became aggressive towards him.
The owner of the dogs, identified as David Hughes, aged 26, from Rhosllanerchrugog, North Wales, appeared in Wrexham Magistrates’ Court last week. He pleaded guilty to the charge of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and also admitted to being the owner of dogs that worried livestock. As a result of the court proceedings, Hughes was ordered to pay £900 in fines and was banned from keeping dogs for five years.
PC Chris James from North Wales Police welcomed the outcome of the court case but emphasized that the farmer continues to suffer the effects of the traumatic incident. He underscored the emotional and financial toll on the farmer, describing livestock attacks as distressing for both the animals and their keepers. The costs, both financial and emotional, associated with such incidents are deemed wholly unacceptable.
James also pointed out that a dog’s owner holds the primary responsibility for preventing attacks, emphasizing that failure to control one’s animal can lead to dire consequences, as demonstrated in this tragic incident.
XL bully dogs have come under increased scrutiny in recent years due to their involvement in a significant number of dog-related fatal attacks in the UK. It was reported that between 2021 and June 2023, this powerful breed was responsible for half of all dog-related fatal attacks, with a particularly heartbreaking number of children among the victims.
One notable case in 2021 involved an XL bully or American bully dog that fatally attacked 10-year-old Jack Lis in Caerphilly, South Wales.
In June of the current year, Conservative MP Sir John Hayes raised concerns about XL bully dogs in Parliament, echoing mounting calls for a ban on the breed. The tragic incidents involving these dogs have ignited a national conversation about responsible pet ownership, breed-specific regulations, and public safety.
The devastating loss suffered by the farmer in Wrexham serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of responsible dog ownership and the potential consequences when dogs are not properly controlled. As communities grapple with the complex issue of dangerous dog breeds, it remains essential to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and addressing the needs of responsible dog owners.
