XL bully: Mum of boy, 10, killed by dog asks why home secretary hasn’t considered ban sooner | UK News
The mum of a boy killed by an XL bully dog has questioned why action hasn’t been taken sooner, after the home secretary said she would explore a ban.
Jack Lis, 10, died after he was attacked by the dog called Beast while playing with a friend at a house near Caerphilly, South Wales, on 8 November 2021.
Two people were jailed last June after admitting to being in charge of the dog at the time.
Suella Braverman said on Sunday she had commissioned “urgent advice” on banning the breed.
Her statement came after footage emerged of a dog attacking an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham, while police confirmed two men were taken to hospital after being bitten.
An owner of an XL bully has defended the breed but called for tougher rules on dog ownership.
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The UK Bully Kennel Club stressed a blanket ban would not be effective.
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Jack Lis’s mother, Emma Whitfield, has been campaigning for new dog legislation in the UK since her son’s death.
She said it was “crazy” how politicians were “coming out of the woodwork” after the video went viral.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ms Whitfield asked: “Where were you when my son was killed?
“Where were you when other innocent people were killed? Where were you when I was at parliament asking for change? Nowhere.”
She said if the government was planning to do something then “please do it”.
“It seems none of those in charge who could make changes wanted to listen to the victims’ families before now,” she added.
Read more:
Dog in ‘secure kennels’ as police wait to quiz owner
Two XL bullys shot dead after killing 22 pregnant sheep
Man mauled to death while looking after friend’s dog
In a tribute released after Jack’s death, his family said their lives would never be the same without him.
He was described as the “sweetest of boys” who would be “forever in our hearts”.
