Cambridge resident bitten by XL bully dog

A Cambridge resident bitten by an XL bully dog required hospital treatment for her injury.

The attack took place on Friday, 25 April, on Fison Road in Abbey ward. The dog was removed from the premises and taken to kennels by police. Its fate is currently unknown.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “We were called at about 12.20pm on 25 April with reports an XL bully dog had escaped from a house in Fison Road, Cambridge, and bitten someone.

“We also received reports of an altercation at the same location.

“Officers attended. The dog has been seized.

“Crimes have been raised for common assault, criminal damage and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. Investigations are ongoing.”

The woman sustained wounds to the arm, pictured, which are not believed to be serious.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 restricts ownership of American XL bully dogs.

It has been illegal to sell, give away, abandon or breed from an XL bully since 31 December, 2023, and since 1 February, 2024, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate. Owners applying for an exemption had to pay £92.40 per dog, buy insurance and microchip their animal.

Cambridge City Council’s tenancy policy states that tenants “must not commit an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991” (14.8), and “must not allow your pet to harm or attack anyone living in or visiting your home or the neighbourhood including Cambridge City Council employees, agents, contractors or City Councillors” (14.9).

A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council said: “If a tenant breaches any part of our tenancy policy we would consider taking appropriate action in response to the breaches.

“Please note that in relation to 14.8 and 14.9, only the police can confirm whether an offence has been committed. As we are awaiting the outcome of the police investigation into the Fison Road incident, we are limited in what we can say while the police investigation is ongoing.”