A loose XL Bully was fatally shot by police after it attacked a woman and caused panic on a quiet residential street in Sheffield.
Tensions flared in the Hillsborough area when the aggressive dog reportedly bit a woman on the arm and then turned hostile towards another passerby walking their pet.
The incident unfolded on 7 December 2024. Police were urgently dispatched to Dykes Hall Road following multiple emergency calls.
Bodycam footage captured the dramatic moment armed officers confronted the animal. As the situation escalated, officers loaded a shotgun and discharged three rounds, killing the dog.
Woman Found Guilty for Letting Dog Run Loose
31-year-old Sophie Zaherali, the dog’s owner, has since been found guilty of owning a dog dangerously out of control. No injuries beyond the initial bite were reported.
She is due to be sentenced on 16 December. The police have stressed that the decision to shoot the animal was not made lightly.
“The decision to shoot a dog is one never taken lightly by our officers. They are highly trained and carry out risk assessments and observations of the tactics available to them and the situation they are in.
Our aim will always be to safely contain any animal, but the safety of the community and officers is always our priority,” said a spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police.
A Community in Shock
The residential area, usually quiet and family-friendly, was left shaken. Locals described scenes of chaos as people scrambled indoors to avoid the loose dog. Several eyewitnesses said they had “never seen anything like it” in their neighbourhood.
The growing controversy around XL Bully breeds has sparked fresh debate nationwide, with more communities calling for tighter control laws and breed-specific legislation.
Growing Concerns Over XL Bully Incidents
This incident comes amidst a surge in concerns surrounding the XL Bully breed across the UK. Numerous attacks over the past year have prompted public outcry and increased calls for government intervention.
Some key facts:
- XL Bullies have been involved in a disproportionate number of dog-related injuries and fatalities in the UK in recent years.
- In response, several councils have pushed for stricter licensing and mandatory training for owners.
- The UK government has already banned the breeding and sale of XL Bullies, with further restrictions looming.
As Zaherali awaits sentencing, questions remain over how many other potentially dangerous dogs are still in the hands of untrained or irresponsible owners.
Animal rights groups have also weighed in, urging the government not just to ban breeds but to address root causes like lack of training, poor socialisation, and irresponsible ownership.
With public safety now firmly in the spotlight, authorities are expected to take a firmer stance in the months ahead. Stay with UK News Blog for the latest updates on this developing story.
*The above shown dog is not the one which involved in the attack.
