A SCARRED-for-life schoolgirl savaged by an XL Bully has hailed today’s ban on the breed, saying: “It’s about time!”
Ana Paun, 12, thought she was going to die when the hellhound mauled her in September and is still too scared to go out alone.
Ana Paun, 12, thought she was going to die when savaged by a XL Bully in SeptemberSWNS
Ana ran down the street in agony after an XL Bully savaged her in Birmingham last September
BBC/UNPIXSThe beast that attacked Ana was lying on the ground at a bus stop in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, when it latched onto her arm[/caption]
Still suffering nightmares from her ordeal, she say’s if today’s ban was brought in sooner she may never have been attacked.
Ana told The Sun: “I hope it helps save other people from getting hurt or killed by these dogs.”
The beast that attacked Ana was lying on the ground at a bus stop in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, when it latched onto her arm as she walked past.
Harrowing video showed the crossbreed – which was off the lead – then go on a rampage as frantic bystanders tried to stop it.
It managed to savage two other men before being seized by cops.
She previously told The Sun: “I feared for my life. My injuries really hurt.”
From February 1, owners will need a certificate of exemption if they want to keep their bullies – or face having them seized by cops, given an unlimited fine and a criminal record.
Ana, left with injuries to her arm, chest, shoulder and legs following the attack, added: “Those dogs are dangerous and should be banned.
“I’ve always been frightened of dogs and even more so after I was bitten.
“The dog that attacked me was so scary and out of control and the owner had just left it alone on the street.
I hope it helps save other people from getting hurt or killed by these dogs
Ana Paun, 12, XL Bully attack victim
“But I’m lucky, it could have been so much worse.”
Her parents said it was “a shame” it took numerous attacks – some fatal – on adults and children to make PM Rishi Sunak finally take action.
Ana’s mum Monika said she hoped owners would “behave responsibly” and not flout the new laws which apply to just England and Wales.
Taxi driver dad Florian added: “This breed is a menace and we are all hoping it will make the owners more responsible, and if they are not they must be punished.
“Ana is still affected, she is trying to be brave but she won’t go out without her family or friends.”
STILL AT LARGE
The ban on XL Bullies was brought in following 11 deadly attacks in just three years.
DEFRA told The Sun over 30,000 XL Bullies had been registered under the new rules.
But vets fear that with an estimated 50,000 bullies in Britain – there could now be up to 15,000 illegal beasts on the streets.
To qualify for an exemption certificate, owners had to prove their dog had been neutered by June 30.
If the pup was less than a year old, they must be neutered by the end of 2024, and evidence must be provided.
Steve Barclay, the environment secretary, said: “We have delivered our pledge to bring in this important measure to protect public safety.”
The Scottish government said an equivalent XL Bully ban will into force on July 31 – there is no ban in Northern Ireland.
Harrowing video showed the crossbreed – which was off the lead – then go on a rampage as frantic bystanders tried to stop it
Sky NewsAna’s parents said it was ‘a shame’ it took numerous attacks – some fatal – on adults and children to make PM Rishi Sunak finally take action[/caption]
GettyThe ban on XL Bullies was brought in following 11 deadly attacks in just three years[/caption]
GettyBut vets fear that with an estimated 50,000 bullies in Britain – there could now be up to 15,000 illegal beasts on the streets[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
