A man says he used a hammer to hit the suspected XL Bully dog behind a serious attack on a man and woman in Coventry. Coventry Live has been to Purcell Road today, Friday, September 29, to speak to locals in the aftermath of the attack yesterday.
The man and woman, both believed to be in their 20s, have sustained serious injuries in the attack. And one local told us today that screams could be heard as the attack took place.
The incident comes at a time of fierce national debate about XL Bully dogs after a series of attacks by the breed that Rishi Sunak has vowed to ban. And people told us today: they want them banned.
READ MORE: Young man and woman seriously injured in Coventry 'XL Bully' attack in flat
One man at the centre of the incident in flats on Purcell Road told us today that he stepped in to tackle the dog. He told us: "I grabbed a hammer from my friend's tool box and belted the dog to try to get him off the man."
He says he acted after seeing a commotion. Police say the dog attack began in a flat before the dog escaped into a communal area.
Asked if he thinks the dogs should be banned, he said: "Yes, that’s a definite yes." The man - who did not wish to be named - says he lives in the flats on Purcell Road where the attack happened.
He told us he was just about to come down the stairs with his wife and children when he said he saw the man being attacked.
He told us: ''There were kids coming over to see what was going on and we were trying to see what was going on ourselves." He said he didn't know what to do but had to "act fast" and try to tackle the dog.
Another local resident who would only give his name as Joe told CoventryLive how "screams" were heard from the flat. He said: ''My wife heard the screams and they were quite bad.
"You could see the woman was bleeding when they took her into the ambulance.'' Speaking about the impending ban on XL Bully dogs, he said: ''I do agree with the banning of the dogs. With the number of attacks there have been on children and adults, they are just too vicious.''
Police were called to the scene just before 4pm yesterday to Purcell Road to reports that a man and a woman had suffered injuries which they said were not life-threatening but are considered serious. Officers Tasered the dog, which is believed to be a Bully-type breed.
It will be put to sleep. "The incident took place inside a flat but the dog then escaped into a communal area of the building," a West Midlands Police spokesperson said.
"In order to bring the incident to a safe conclusion, officers Tasered the dog, which is believed to be an XL Bully, and then contained it carefully in a nearby wheelie bin to ensure the public’s safety and so the victims could be accessed and receive treatment."
The spokesperson added: "Those injured were known to the owner. Our enquiries are continuing and no arrests have been made at this stage.
"We understand this was a very distressing incident for anyone who witnessed it and as a force we are taking serious action against dangerous dogs and their owners. We will also be having extra officers in the area to offer reassurance. A decision has been made by the owner to put the dog to sleep."
Witnesses or people with information should contact the force via Live Chat on its website or by calling 101, quoting crime investigation number 20/849096/23.
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If you have any more information or you witnessed anything that happened email: saskia.masaun@reachplc.com
