UK news This article is more than 4 months oldMan who died after double dog attack in Staffordshire named as Ian Price
This article is more than 4 months oldPolice arrest 30-year-old after Price attacked by dogs believed to be XL bullies
A 52-year-old man who died after being attacked by two dogs believed to be American XL bullies near a school in Staffordshire has been named.
Ian Price was mauled to death by the two animals in the village of Stonnall on Thursday afternoon. Onlookers reported that he was trying to protect his elderly mother from the dogs, which had escaped from a neighbouring property.
Staffordshire police said a 30-year-old man from the Lichfield area had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and being in charge of dogs dangerously out of control, and remained in custody.
Both dogs, thought to be XL bullies, were dead and tests were being carried out to determine their breed, the force added.
Price, who ran a hard surface repair company, had celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary this year and had two teenage children.
West Midlands ambulance services (WMAS) said paramedics were called to the scene in the village of Stonnall on Thursday afternoon and treated a man who had “multiple life-threatening injuries”.
He was taken to Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham where “it was clear nothing more could be done to save him” and he was confirmed dead.
Police said one of the dogs had died after being restrained, and the other had died after an injection was given by a vet.
Hours after news of the death emerged, the prime minister announced the XL bully breed would be banned by the end of the year.
“The American XL bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children,” he said. “Yesterday we saw another suspected XL bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.”
Police said a number of people tried to get the dogs off the man who was attacked in Stonnall. One of the dogs was contained outside, while the other was contained in the owner’s flat.
Supt Tracy Meir said: “I would like to offer my condolences to the loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life in this horrendous dog attack. We are continuing to support them at this incredibly difficult time.”
Children were prevented from leaving nearby St Peter’s primary academy for a number of hours during the incident, which happened just as children and parents were starting to make their way home.
The WMAS said it sent an ambulance, two paramedic officers, a trauma doctor, a critical care paramedic and the Midlands air ambulance from Cosford to the scene of the attack.
A spokesperson said: “Upon arrival we found a man who had sustained multiple life-threatening injuries and was in a critical condition. Ambulance staff administered advanced life support and advanced trauma care to him at the scene.
“Treatment continued en route to Queen Elizabeth hospital where he was conveyed by land ambulance for further treatment. Unfortunately, after arrival at hospital, despite the best efforts it became clear that nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased.”
Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, said the death was “deeply upsetting”.
“My thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends,” he said. “Given the worrying increase in dog attacks, it’s clear the Dangerous Dogs Act needs to be reviewed. Bad owners must be held accountable with the full force of the law.”
Sunak said the XL bully would be banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year. “These dogs are dangerous, I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe,” he said.
This is the seventh death from a dog attack this year, and comes days after footage went viral of an XL bully cross-breed dog attacking people, including an 11-year-old girl, in the street in Birmingham.
In January, a dog walker, Natasha Johnston, 28, was killed when she was attacked by the dogs she was walking in Gravelly Hill, Caterham. Later that month, Alice Stones, four, was killed by her family’s dog in Milton Keynes.
In April, Wayne Stevens, 51, died after being attacked by a dog in Derby and Jonathan Hogg, 37, was killed by a friend’s dog he was looking after.
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