A BUILDER was left seriously injured after being mauled by an XL Bully during a tea break.
The dog, called Ozzy, repeatedly bit into the man’s leg, leaving his flesh ripped away from the bone.
GettyA builder in Norwich was viciously mauled by an XL Bully[/caption]
SWNSDaniel Savino, 46, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control when it caused injury[/caption]
It occurred while the builder was working on a home extension in Norwich on January 21.
While the owner had reportedly agreed to keep the dog inside, it escaped when the builder was asked if he wanted a drink.
The savage attack left the man needing surgery, as he is unsure if his lower leg will regain feeling.
In addition to the physical damage, the self-employed builder has also suffered financial damage as he has been left unable to work.
It comes after legislation in February 2024 made it illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate.
While Ozzy had been registered exempt, the attack could mean the dog is subject to a destruction order.
An insurance policy had also been taken out on Ozzy, with a £12,000 payout.
Daniel Savino, 46, who had been looking after his partner’s dog on the day of the attack, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control when it caused injury at Norwich Magistrates’ Court.
He will be sentenced on September 25 and could face time in prison.
Savino’s defence solicitor said the dog had been bought four years ago, and that the attack was “out of character”.
He said it was an “unfortunate slip” that it had escaped through three door gates.
It comes after legislation in February 2024 made it illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate.
The dog breed tends to be around 33-50cm in height, and weighs around 20-60kg.
The legislation made it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL bully dogs to stray in England and Wales.
It also imposed an obligation for owners to muzzle their dogs from the end of 2023.
Since 2021, the breed has been responsible for more than 70% of all dog-related deaths in the UK.
Despite the ban, The Sun has reported on a number of XL Bully attacks over the last year.
Esther Martin, 68, was killed in a savage attack by two XL Bullies in front of her traumatised grandson in Jaywick, Essex on February 9 2024.
Giliana Milner, 19, was attacked by the breed while changing the dog’s water at an animal rescue centre where she worked.
She was dragged to the floor and her chest and legs were mauled as staff struggled to drag the dog away from her.
During the attack she feared for her life, and has been left with extensive scarring.
GettyThe attack left the man with his flesh ripped off the bone in his leg[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
