XL Bully on the loose after being shot at by police when it escaped from house
An XL Bully is running loose in Sheffield after being shot at by police officers.
Residents in Hillfoot, Sheffield, have been told to avoid the dangerous breed, which has a track record of mauling people to death.
South Yorkshire Police rushed to an address in the Hillfoot area of the city on Thursday night after reports of gunfire.
Inside they discovered the XL Bully and fired at it when the dog became aggressive.
But the animal managed to escape the house. It is unclear whether it is injured.
Chief Superintendent for Sheffield Jamie Henderson said: ‘I would like to assure you that we are doing all we can to locate the dog or find those who may have housed it to evade police contact.
‘We appreciate people in our communities being vigilant, and I ask that you get in touch immediately if you see the dog.
‘I urge you not to approach the dog, as we believe it has the ability to show aggression and cause harm.’
Officers investigating the firearms discharge found a vehicle’s windows had been smashed and believed a vehicle had fled the scene.
A few hours later cops were sent to a crash nearby involving a car and motorbike, with shots being fired at a man
When officers arrived at the scene they found a gun that had been fired and a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
A 39-year-old woman was also arrested for possessing a firearm.
The 36-year-old motorcyclist was detained on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
Officers believe the incidents are linked and all three were in police custody yesterday.
It is a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
Those with an exemption must ensure their XL Bully is neutered, kept in a secure place where they can’t escape, muzzled and kept on a lead in public.
The dangerous breed are still behind deaths and injuries to Britons since the ban.
An 84-year-old granddad, John McColl, was killed by an XL Bully after it dragged him into a garden while he walked home in February.
An XL bully dog was also put down after it mauled 10-year-old Savannah Bentham to death last November.
The XL Bully is not the only dog breed which is banned in the UK. Posession of a pit bull terriers was outlawed Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991.
Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro are all massive dogs which are considered dangerous to humans and other pets.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.