Greater Manchester Police shoot dead XL Bully after attack on woman in Eccles

An XL Bully dog has been shot dead by police officers after attacking and injuring a woman.

Police in Salford were responding to several reports that a dog was dangerously out of control and attacking the public on Friday evening.

Greater Manchester Police say specialised officers who were called to Gladstone Road, off Liverpool Road in Eccles, were unable to bring the dog back under control and had to be killed 'as the last possible option'.

One woman was injured in the attack at around 9pm and is still receiving treatment for her injuries.

Two men were also arrested after confronting officers.

Video footage captured the moment that officers shot the animal in the middle of the street which has now been circulated across multiple social media platforms.

It is understood that the video does not show the full incident.

Residents of Gladstone Road in Eccles have spoken of their shock after armed police descended on their road.

One recalled hearing about 'six gun shots and the owners screaming and shouting' before looking outside to see officers surrounding the animal.

A man who lives opposite spoke of his horror, saying: "I heard the gun shots from my flat, I didn't know what was going on. I counted six shots. I didn't think something like that would happen around here,"

"I went on Facebook a little later on and saw this video of the police shooting this dog and saw it was Gladstone. It made me feel sick. I know someone has been hurt but its the owners and not the dog to blame in situations like this really is it?"

It is understood that a taser was fired at first before the gunshots were heard.

A second resident said: "I couldn't watch it. I know the dog had attacked someone and I really hope she's ok but as soon as I saw the police were armed I closed my blinds, the dog looked petrified.

"I know someone got injured and its a banned breed," she continued, "But it doesn't matter whether a dog is banned or not, owners should be able to control their dogs, otherwise don't own a pet."

Police cars blocked the junction connecting Liverpool Road and Gladstone Road during the incident, as police followed the dog as it weaved between cars and ultimately 'destroyed' the animal as it was the 'last possible option'.

A police spokesperson said: "At around 9pm tonight (Friday 28 June 2024) on Gladstone Road in Eccles we were called to several reports of a dog dangerously out of control that was subsequently attacking the public and injured a woman in the process.

"Initially, both local officers and the public were unable to regain control of the dog. Specialised officers were deployed and tried to safely secure the XL Bully but were unsuccessful. This meant unfortunately due to the risk and harm it was causing as a banned breed it was destroyed at the scene as the last possible option.

"Two men were later arrested and detained after confronting officers. The woman victim is still receiving treatment for her injuries.

"We understand the concern this incident will raise within the community but our officers have a duty to act in challenging situations on a regular basis with the aim of keeping everyone safe."

XL Bullys, as a banned breed, must now be muzzled in public and neutered by their owners.