A female resident in her 50s from Hornchurch, East London, England, was tragically killed by her own two XL Bully dogs. The dogs were registered and had an exemption from the recent breed-specific legislation initiated by the government. This death is thought to be the first caused by dogs exempted from the ban.

On the afternoon of May 20, 2024, emergency services were called to Cornwall Close in response to a reported dog attack. The Metropolitan Police, including armed officers, and paramedics responded swiftly. Unfortunately, the woman, Angeline Mahal, was declared dead at the scene.

Witnesses in the usually peaceful neighborhood reported an influx of emergency vehicles, complete with flashing lights and sirens. Following the police, ambulance and air ambulance crews also arrived at the scene.

A resident described the scene to The Mirror, stating, “There have been vans coming and going since lunchtime, and we saw the helicopter overhead, which made us fear the worst. With Campion School nearby, our first thought was that it involved children. You never expect something like this from dogs. It’s terrible.”

An individual shared on X, “I saw about six police vehicles with lights and sirens, plus ambulances and an air ambulance at Cornwall Close in Hornchurch.”

The Metropolitan Police identified the dogs as registered XL Bullys owned by the deceased woman. Upon arrival, officers contained the dogs in a room inside the house and safely seized them without further incident. A spokesperson for the police stated, “Armed officers were required due to the threat posed. After assessing the situation, officers were able to seize two dogs safely.”

The typically quiet residential area was quickly cordoned off by police, leaving the community in shock over the incident.

The incident has revived concerns about the government’s decision to ban the XL Bully breed, which has been linked to several violent cases in the recent past.

The XL Bully Dog is a variant of the American Bully breed. Known for its muscular build, strength, and large size exceeding that of the standard American Bully, it is a popular yet controversial pet.

The breed-specific legislation, which took effect on February 1, 2024, mandates owners to obtain an exemption certificate, neuter and microchip their dogs, and ensure dogs are muzzled and leashed in public. Despite these measures, the breed has continued to be implicated in serious attacks.

The fatal incident in Hornchurch follows a similar attack in February involving XL Bully dogs where 68-year-old Esther Martin was killed by two unregistered dogs in Jaywick, Essex, England. The dogs in that case were not registered under the new laws, highlighting the ongoing issue of compliance with the regulations.