Boy, 15, in hospital after XL bully attack in Caerphilly as police confirm dog 'humanely destroyed'

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New restrictions on XL Bully dogs came into force on December 31 last year following heightened concern about attacks involving the breed, including two incidents which took place in Caerphilly. Credit: PA images

A 15-year-old boy has been taken to hospital following a dog attack in Caerphilly county. Gwent Police confirmed they were called to an address in the village of Pontlottyn on Tuesday, 28 May, following a report of a dog attack.

The force confirmed that police officers attended an address on Farm Road in the village at around 3.20pm, alongside firearms officers and paramedics from Welsh Ambulance Service.

A 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital for treatment, the police force confirmed, although his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Gwent Police said the dog, identified as an XL Bully, was registered with DEFRA which is the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

The force said the dog had been "humanely destroyed" by a veterinary surgeon.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 29, a spokesperson for Gwent Police said: "We were called to an address in Farm Road, Pontlottyn, Caerphilly, at around 3.20pm on Tuesday 28 May, following a report of a dog attack.

"Officers attended, along with specially trained firearms officers, and paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

"A 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

"The dog, an XL Bully, was DEFRA registered. The dog was humanely destroyed by a veterinary surgeon."

New restrictions on XL Bully dogs came into force on December 31 last year following heightened concern about attacks involving the breed, including two incidents which took place in Caerphilly. It is now a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.

It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray. The move was made after 23 people in the UK died in the three years leading up to the start of the ban.

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