Murder investigation after man dies in Sunderland following attack by dog believed to be XL bully
A 54-year-old man who was attacked by a dog in Sunderland has died and a murder investigation has been launched, according to Northumbria Police.
The dog is believed to have been an XL bully – and was shot by police at the scene.
Residents in Shiney Row, where the incident took place, said they saw paramedics attending to the man’s severely injured throat after Tuesday’s attack.
Police attended the scene of the attack
The man died despite the efforts of hospital medics to save his life.
A 44-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm – but following the man’s death, he was re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
Following the attack, police seized a second dog at the property as a precaution.
The suspect remains in police custody.
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One man local to the area said he frequently saw two XL bullies being walked in the vicinity.
He said: “I have seen the two dogs before, they are well known in the area, an older one and a younger one.
“They shot the older one in the yard.”
Detective Chief Inspector Angela Hudson of Northumbria Police said: “First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the man’s family and loved ones.
“This is an absolutely tragic incident, and we will continue to offer them support in any way that we can.”
She added that there was “no ongoing risk” to the wider community and officers would remain in the area to offer reassurance.
The incident is the latest in a string of dog attacks in the UK.
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Could American XL bully dogs be banned?
On Monday morning, a toddler was bitten by a dog in Greenwich, while a man died last month after being attacked by two dogs in Staffordshire.
An attack last month on an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham, which left her with shoulder and arm injuries, led to the arrest of a 60-year-old man on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out of control.
It comes as the prime minister vowed to expand the list of banned dogs to include American XL bullies, prompting protests by owners.
Rishi Sunak has promised to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year.
Rocks and a scooter have been thrown at trains from a bridge above a 120mph railway line, an operator has said.
East Midlands Railway (EMR) said a train was damaged in the first recorded incident on 3 February when a large scooter was hurled off a pedestrian bridge near Loughborough station in Leicestershire.
Builders’ waste and masonry were dropped onto a track from the bridge – which connects Allsopp’s Lane with Little Moor Lane – and a rock was thrown at a train on 16 February.
Another object was thrown from the bridge, smashing a train’s windscreen, a day later.
The “incredibly dangerous” incidents impacted 21 services and caused more than three-and-a-half hours of delays, the operator said.
Masonry has also been dropped on to tracks. Pic: EMR/PA
Danielle Clarke, EMR community safeguarding and security manager, said: “These acts are not pranks or a bit of harmless fun, but incredibly dangerous crimes that put customers and staff at serious risk of injury or worse.
“They also lead to trains being damaged, delayed, and services being cancelled.”
She said action was being taken to address the issue, and appealed to members of the public to report any similar incidents or suspicious behaviour on or around railways to British Transport Police.
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Dan Matthews, head of operations delivery at Network Rail, said: “These acts of vandalism not only put lives at serious risk but also cause significant disruption to our rail network.
“We work closely with train operators like EMR, and British Transport Police, to prevent such incidents and catch those responsible.”
He added: “The safety of passengers and railway staff is our top priority, and we will not tolerate actions that compromise this.”
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