Two XL bully dogs shot dead after killing 22 pregnant sheep – as owner fined
Two XL bully dogs were shot dead after killing 22 pregnant sheep and injuring dozens of others in a livestock attack in North Wales.
The dogs were killed by the owner of the farm, near Wrexham, after they escaped from their home and began attacking the livestock.
The farmer was unable to get the dogs under control – despite several attempts – and opened fire after one became aggressive towards him.
Police say the financial cost of the incident, which took place in March, amounted to more than £14,000 for the farmer.
The owner of the two dogs has since been ordered to pay £900 in fines after admitting to an offence of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
David Hughes, 26, from Rhosllanerchrugog, North Wales, also admitted to an offence of being the owner of a dog worrying livestock.
Hughes appeared at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was banned from keeping dogs for five years.
PC Chris James said: “I welcome this result after what was a horrific scene for the victim, who is still suffering the effects of the incident today.
“The emotional and financial impact on the farmer has been considerable.
“Livestock attacks are extremely distressing not only for the animals, but for their keepers too. The costs, both financially and emotionally, for such distressing incidents are wholly unacceptable.
“A dog’s owner is the only person who can prevent an attack from happening, and you may have to pay the ultimate price if you cannot control your animal.”
There were nearly 22,000 cases of out-of-control dogs causing injury reported last year – up from 16,000 in 2018.
Over the same period, dog ownership has increased 15 percent – from 8.9 million to 10.2 million – according to veterinary charity PDSA.
Earlier this year, the Royal Mail said it had recorded a total of 1,916 dog attacks on staff in the year up to 31 March 2023 – averaging 37 a week and increasing 14% on the 1,673 incidents in the previous year.
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Meanwhile, a Sky News investigation in 2021 found that more than 1,500 dogs had been destroyed after being detained under the Dangerous Dogs Act in the UK since 2019.
Four breeds are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act; the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro, but other types can be seized if they are dangerously out of control.
The XL bully, also known as the American bully, is not on that list – though there have been calls for it to be included following a string of fatal attacks.
In 2021, 10-year-old Jack Lis was mauled to death in Caerphilly, South Wales, by a dog identified as an American bully or XL bully.
Jack Lis, who was killed by an XL Bully dog, in Caerphilly, South Wales, in 2021
Earlier this year, four-year-old Alice Stones was killed by her family dog in what Thames Valley Police described as a “tragic incident” in Milton Keynes.
The dog was put down humanely after the attack “to ensure public safety”. Police have not identified the breed of the dog, however they said it was not one banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
In May, Jonathan Hogg, 37, died after being attacked while looking after his friend’s dog, reported to be an XL Bully, in Leigh, Greater Manchester.
UK
MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace steps down as Kirsty Wark among 13 who claim he made inappropriate sexual jokes
MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has stepped down over allegations he made a series of inappropriate sexual comments on a range of programmes over 17 years.
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark is among 13 people who have made claims, with Wallace being investigated by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK.
In an interview with the BBC, the Newsnight presenter, who was a celebrity contestant on MasterChef in 2011, claimed Wallace used “sexualised language”.
“There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualised language in front of a number of people and it wasn’t as if it was anyone engaged with this,” Wark said.
“It was completely one-way traffic. I think people were uncomfortable and something that I really didn’t expect to happen.”
Sky News has contacted Wallace’s representative for comment.
Kirsty Wark. File pic: PA
‘Fully cooperating’
Banijay UK said the complaints were made to the BBC this week by “individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with Gregg Wallace on one of our shows”.
The company said the 60-year-old, who has been a co-presenter and judge of the popular cooking show since 2005, was “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”.
“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate,” the company said.
“While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.
“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.
“Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
A BBC spokesman said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.
“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
“Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”
Previous investigation
Last month, Wallace responded to reports that a previous BBC review had found he could continue working at the corporation following reports of an alleged incident in 2018 when he appeared on Impossible Celebrities.
Wallace said those claims had been investigated “promptly” at the time and said he had not said “anything sexual” while appearing on the game show more than half a decade ago.
In an Instagram post following an article in The Sun newspaper, he wrote: “The story that’s hitting the newspapers was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC.
“And the outcome of that was that I hadn’t said anything sexual. I’ll need to repeat this again. I didn’t say anything sexual.”
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Alongside MasterChef, Wallace presented Inside The Factory for BBC Two from 2015.
Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014. Pic: PA
Wallace has featured on various BBC shows over the years, including Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less, Supermarket Secrets, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, as well as being a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2014.
He was made an MBE for services to food and charity last year.
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will be transmitted as planned, the PA news agency understands.
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