Urgent hunt for dogs suspected of attack after man found dead in Rubery garden
Police have issued an urgent appeal to find two dogs that may have been involved in a man’s death in the West Midlands.
A photo of one of them has been released after officers found the man dead in a back garden in Rubery in the early hours of Thursday.
Officers said they were called to the property to reports a number of dogs were on the loose.
Two dogs were seized, but two others that may also have been there are missing.
One of the dogs police are trying to track down. Pic: West Midlands Police
Police believe the man, 33, was attacked by at least one of the animals and that it may have contributed to his death.
“We really need to hear from anyone who has seen these dogs and it’s vital that if you see them, you don’t approach them but call 999 immediately,” warned Inspector Leanne Chapman.
West Midlands Police said it thinks the dogs are American Bulldog-types rather than a banned breed.
It said the dog that isn’t pictured is black.
“If you or someone you know has taken the dogs in after finding them loose, we need you to call us as soon as possible,” added Inspector Chapman.
The man was found dead at a property on Hereford Close
Police were still at the scene on Thursday afternoon
Police are using drones, carrying out house-to-house enquiries, reviewing CCTV, and using specialist dog officers to try to find them.
A post-mortem examination on the man is being carried out today to establish his cause of death.
Read more from Sky News:
Two held on suspicion of murder after delivery driver’s death
Man stung 240 times by swarm of wasps
The incident happened in Hereford Close, Rubery, about seven miles (11km) southwest of central Birmingham.
It comes a few days after a 53-year-old man was killed by an XL bully dog in Accrington, Lancashire.
Police in that case said they had “no alternative” but to shoot the dog dead.
XL bullies were banned after a series of attacks and owners now need an exemption certificate and to comply with rules such as keeping the dog muzzled and on a lead in public.
Selling, breeding, abandoning or giving them away is also illegal.
Large groups of youths have been throwing fireworks, bricks and bottles at police in Edinburgh, during a night of disorder across the city.
Video posted online shows officers responding to Bonfire Night incidents in the Sighthill, Niddrie, Gracemount and Gilmerton areas.
Riot police have been seen on the streets of Edinburgh, wearing helmets and carrying shields, as fireworks were lit and exploded around them.
Footage from Gilmerton, a suburb in the southeast of the city, also showed burning debris in the street as youths rode on bicycles.
Police in Edinburgh were deployed to several areas, including the suburb of Gilmerton
Police were given extra stop and search powers in certain areas following “intelligence” about planned disorder and firework-related crime.
Superintendent Neil Wilson said: “We are currently responding to incidents of disorder involving large groups of youths throwing a range of objects, including fireworks, bricks and bottles, across Edinburgh.”
A helicopter was also deployed as part of Operation Moonbeam, aimed at supporting local police in tackling fireworks-related offences.
Officers used shields to take cover from fireworks
Meanwhile Lothian Buses withdrew all services from the Niddrie area for safety reasons.
Niddrie was also the scene of disorder on 31 October, when police and public transport vehicles were pelted with fireworks and bricks.
Youths rode on bicycles near officers, as debris burned in the street
On Tuesday, officers in Glasgow seized a “significant quantity” of fireworks from a van in the Drumchapel area which it is alleged were being “sold to the general public, including children”.
Read more from Sky News:
Mass cull of poultry after bird flu outbreak
Gaza teen forced to separate from family
Glastonbury announces ticket buying changes
Scotland’s first fireworks control zones (FCZ) are in place in parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow from 1 to 10 November.
Those convicted of setting off a firework within a FCZ face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months in jail.
Meanwhile, it appears the famous Lewes bonfire night celebrations in East Sussex went off without incident after police urged people not to attend because of overcrowding concerns.
Effigies of Nigel Farage and Paula Vennells were burnt in Lewes Pic: PA
The so-called “bonfire capital of the world” is famous for burning effigies of controversial politicians and celebrities.
This year they included former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The Queen is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week, Buckingham Palace has announced.
A palace spokesperson said Camilla’s doctors “have advised a short period of rest” and added that “with great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week”.
They added the Queen “very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal”.
“She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” they said.
It is understood the Queen is currently resting at home and is under doctor’s supervision.
Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, has stepped in on Camilla’s behalf to attend the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday.
The Queen has also withdrawn from a Buckingham Palace reception for Olympic and Paralympic athletes hosted by the King on the same evening.
Read more:
William in South Africa for ‘milestone moment’
King will not attend COP29 conference
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Camilla recently returned from an overseas tour of Australia and Samoa. No further details regarding her illness or treatment have been released.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports7 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Environment1 year agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway