I’m a dog behaviour expert – here are THREE reasons American Bully XL become savage killing machines | The US Sun
A DOG behaviour expert has revealed three reasons why the American Bully XL breed can easily become savage killing machines.
The genetically modified hound has been dubbed a “super-breed” after growing to become strong and bigger than its relatives.
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An expert has revealed how an American XL Bully can become a killer
Credit: Alamy
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Ian Symes was attacked by the breed last year
Credit: Solent
A Bully XL shares DNA with banned American Pit Bull Terriers and has extremely aggressive instincts.
Expert Dr Candy d’Sa has now warned against Brits buying the dog as she explains how easily their temperament can change.
She said the canine is prone to attack when the weather is hot, they’re kept in kennels and they’ve not socialised with humans.
Dr d’Sa added: “They need highly specialised owners and they do not belong in kennels.
“They will continue to do damage until the public is educated.”
It comes after Ian Symes, 34, was savagely killed in a park in Fareham, Hampshire, by American Bully XL he was walking last year.
The fatal attack by the dog, named ‘Kong’, saw Ian suffer “widespread mangling” to his neck after a bite punctured his jugular and “crushed his voice box”.
Portsmouth Coroner’s Court heard Ian had been walking the beast before it set upon him.
Chilling evidence from Dr d’Sa, who assessed Kong before he was destroyed, said he had an “extreme bite force” and was playing rough when he turned on Ian.
Kong weighed over eight stone – which was heavier than Ian – and would have been at face height if stood on his hind legs.
Dr d’Sa added: “Ian was on his own, it was a hot summer’s day so I imagine he didn’t have protective clothing, and he didn’t have a muzzle on the dog.
“There was no way a man of that build could get a dog like that off.
“It weighed more than the victim and standing up Kong was face-height.
“Ian would have fallen down very quickly.
“With a dog like this, falling down would increase the prey drive.”
Kong was bought by Ian’s neighbour Callum Jones the day before the attack.
The court heard Callum had purchased the dog from a traveller group on Snapchat for £650 before asking Ian to take him out.
Dr d’Sa said the conditions Kong had been living in prior to the attack were not suitable.
She said: “They need highly specialised owners, they do not belong in kennels and they are certainly not dogs for one bedroom flats.
“Nobody knew this dog, this dog had been with these people less than 24 hours.
“It was a hot summer’s day and it was in the flat.
“There’s lots of triggers, warning flags, that this was not a good situation.”
An inquest today concluded Ian’s cause of death was “clearly the result of overwhelming neck injuries in keeping with infliction by a large, powerful dog”.
American XL Bullies are a newer breed, first recognised by the US United Kennel Club in 2013.
They are known for their size and strength as a “natural extension” of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
XL refers to the dog’s size category, of which there are four: pocket, standard, classic and XL.
A number of high-profile cases have involved an XL Bully, such as Shirley Patrick, who died after being mauled at her home in Caerphilly, Wales.
Despite this, the breed isn’t illegal in the UK and remains unrestricted by the 1991 Dangerous Dogs act.
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Tributes left for Ian at the scene in Hamps at the time
Credit: Solent
