Eight-month-old girl airlifted to hospital after being 'attacked by XL bully'

A baby girl has been airlifted to hospital after being 'attacked by an XL bully'. Police were called out to reports of an eight-month-old girl being bitten by a dog on Wednesday afternoon (December 11).

Officers believe the dog was an XL bully, which is a banned breed. Ambulance crews attended the scene on Siskin Close in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, Kent, at 2.23pm.

The baby was airlifted a London hospital, where she remains in a serious condition, Kent Police says. The dog was seized by officers and destroyed.

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An 18-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. The pair remain in custody while inquiries continue, police say.

A spokesperson for Kent Police added: “Officers will remain in the area while inquiries are carried out and to provide reassurance to the local community.” It has been a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate since February 1.

Anyone who owns one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, have it microchipped and keep it muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions. The Government’s move to ban XL bullies followed a series of attacks.