XL bully ban: Mum of boy killed in attack says bad breeders will 'still be at large'

November 01, 2023

The mum of a boy killed in an XL bully attack has said bad breeders will "still be at large" even after a ban comes into force.

Emma Whitfield has been campaigning for new dog legislation since her son, Jack Lis, died nearly two years ago.

The UK government announced on Tuesday that XL bully dogs will be banned in England and Wales from the end of this year.

Ms Whitfield posted on X, formerly Twitter, that while she had been without Jack for nearly two years, the government was "only just now" responding.

"As much as I do agree with the ban because of what's happened to us and all over the country, they can't introduce this and think that it solves everything because it doesn't," she said.

"The bad breeders, owners and sellers will still be at large with many other breeds and this needs tackling too.

"My campaign focuses on these things and I will continue to speak out until we see change in those areas."

10-year-old Jack was attacked by a dog named Beast at an address in Caerphilly on 8 November 2021, while playing with a friend after school. He sadly died at the scene.

Police were called to the home in the Pentwyn area and the dog was destroyed by firearms officers.

Read more:
Two XL bully dogs kill 22 pregnant sheep
Mum of girl, 4, mauled by XL bully 'glad' about ban
Police officer suffers bite injuries in suspected XL bully attack

Brandon Hayden, 19, was jailed last June to four years and six months after he admitted to being in control of the dog at the time.

Amy Salter, 29, who had been asked to look after the animal for a short period of time, was also jailed for three years.

Ms Whitfield said her son remained "behind everything" she does and she would "carry on fighting for him and other innocent victims".

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