Suspected XL bully clamped onto barber's leg in horrific Nottinghamshire town centre attack, says witness

The 26-year-old victim was on his way to start a shift

A shopkeeper has described seeing a "horrific" suspected XL bully attack where the dog clamped onto a barber's leg in a busy Nottinghamshire town centre. Police were called to High Road in Beeston shortly after 8.45am on Wednesday, October 9 following reports of the incident.

The 26-year-old victim was on his way to start a shift at JG Barbers when the attack happened. A business owner who witnessed the incident recalled: "I came to open up at about half eight and I heard screaming.

"I turned round and the fella is being attacked. It was horrendous. It had his leg and he was trying to fight it off.

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"They eventually got it off after what seemed like 10 minutes, but it was probably only one minute. Horrific it was. I was shaking, I didn't know what to do."

The victim was taken to hospital after suffering injuries to his leg and hand, but Nottinghamshire Police said they are not believed to be life-threatening. Beeston businesses organised a fundraiser for the barber, saying the attack had led to a "lengthy hospital stay and probably a lengthy rehabilitation period".

"Many of you will understand that being self employed you have no payment for being sick, holidays or grievances," the description reads. "If you could please offer just £1 to contribute that would mean a lot."

A 44-year-old man was arrested at an address in Beeston on Thursday (October 10) afternoon on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. Officers also seized a dog, believed to be an XL Bully type, from the address, which was placed in secure kennels.

Another business owner in High Road said: "I thought 'oh my God the poor man'. I'm so grateful that he will recover hopefully, and that it wasn't even worse."

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: “While we have now made an arrest in connection with this incident, the investigation is ongoing. At the time the incident occurred this area of Beeston was busy with people.

"I’d urge anyone who saw what happened, or has any other information which could aid our investigation, to please get in contact with us if they haven’t already done so.”

It has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales since February 1, unless the dog has a certificate of exemption, third party insurance, with the dog muzzled and on a lead in a public place.