Horror as dead XL Bully found with 'serious' injuries in shallow grave

A dead XL Bully has been found with 'serious' injuries after it was dumped next to a dual carriageway in Bicester, as the RSPCA appeals for information. 

The horrific discovery was made by a member of the public last Sunday on a path near the Family Farm Service station on the A34 in Bicester, according to the RSPCA.

The brown male XL Bully had a number of injuries to his body. 

RSPCA Inspector Prisca Giddens, who is looking into the incident, said: 'This is really heartbreaking but we don't know how this dog came to be in this situation, whether they died naturally and his body was dumped or if the dog was intentionally harmed.

'We are hoping the public will be able to help us in our enquiries.' 

It is not known who the dog belonged to and the RSPCA has called for anyone who may recognise the XL Bully to get in touch with the organisation as it investigates the incident. 

Giddens also condemned the horrific act of abuse towards the animal, saying that 'even though XL Bullies are banned, it doesn't mean it's acceptable to abandon or neglect them. Sadly, we've had more and more reports this year - and we are keen to establish exactly what happened here.' 

Read More

XL bully dog is horrifically burned to death in sick attack - as police probe disturbing killing

According to the RSPCA, the number of reports of intentional harm to XL Bullies in the first eight months of 2024 has increased to 103 from 39 during the same period last year. 

The horrific act comes months after an XL Bully was found burnt and mutilated in Carshalton, south London, with shocking photos showing that the dog suffered extensive burns to his front paws and a fractured skull.

Earlier this year, a new law passed in England and Wales that brought the XL Bully breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. 

The legislation makes breeding, selling, advertising, exchanging, gifting, re-homing, abandoning or allowing XL Bully dogs to stray illegal. 

Since January 31, it is an offence to own an XL Bully unless it is registered on the Index of Exempted dogs and is compliant with the requirements.

The ban came following a series of high profile attacks on people committed by dogs believed to be XL Bullies.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the ban on the mongrel crossbreed, describing them as a 'danger to our communities'. 

In September of last year, Ian Price, 52, from Stonnall in Staffordshire, died after he was savaged by two XL Bully dogs. 

Days before Mr Price was killed, 11-year-old Ana Paun was mauled by another dog of the same breed as she walked home with her sister after buying sweets in Birmingham.

She said the dog had come at her 'out of nowhere' before locking its powerful jaws around her arm. She recalled: 'I was screaming and screaming - I was petrified.'

In 2021, 10-year-old Jack Lis died from severe head and neck injuries after he was attacked by an XL Bully in Caerphilly; his mother, Emma Whitfield, has campaigned for the dogs to be banned.