Man dies after being attacked by two dogs in Staffordshire
A man has died after being mauled by two dogs.
Members of the public tried to help as Ian Price, 52, was attacked outside a property in Stonnall, Staffordshire, on Thursday afternoon, while police said they stopped some children leaving a nearby primary school for “safety reasons”.
Mr Price was found to have suffered multiple life-threatening injuries was taken to hospital in Birmingham where he was declared dead.
Police said the two dogs involved were believed to be American XL bullies, but further tests were being carried out.
In the wake of the fatality and other recent attacks, Rishi Sunak has vowed to ban the breed – describing it as a danger to communities.
One of the dogs died after being restrained and the other was put down by a vet.
A 30-year-old man, from the Lichfield area, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and of being in charge of dogs dangerously out of control in connection with the attack.
Superintendent Tracy Meir said: “I would like to offer my condolences to the loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life in this horrendous dog attack.
“We are continuing to support them at this incredibly difficult time.
“Detectives continue to investigate and we have taken statements, viewed CCTV and carried out house-to-house enquiries in the local area but are keen to speak to anyone with information.”
Meanwhile, police in London are trying to trace the owner of a grey pitbull-type dog that attacked a four-year-old boy in a Newham park on Monday.
The youngster suffered bite marks to his leg and had to undergo an operation.
The MyLondon news website reported the animal “shook him around so much that his shoes came off”.
It comes in the face of growing concern about attacks by dangerous dogs.
A ban of XL bullies was already being looked at after shocking footage emerged last weekend of an 11-year-old being savaged in Birmingham, leaving her with serious injuries.
But there is concern that the move may not be practical due to the animal not being recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club, which could mean any ban may inadvertently outlaw other kinds of dogs.
It has led to demands for an overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, so it focuses “not on the breed but the deed”, or even for the legislation to be “sent to the knacker’s yard”.