Two Seriously Injured in XL Bully Dog Attack in Nottinghamshire

Published: 15 August ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

A man and a woman have been left with serious injuries following a violent attack by an XL bully-type dog in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. The incident occurred inside a residential property on Thursday evening at approximately 5:46pm, prompting an urgent police response and the swift establishment of a safety cordon.

According to Nottinghamshire Police, the man sustained significant but non-life-threatening injuries, while the woman suffered an injury to her arm. Emergency services attended the scene, and officers worked to bring the situation under control. Members of the public were urged to avoid the area while the operation was ongoing.

In an official statement released on social media, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed details of the event, stating: “Officers are currently dealing with an incident at a property in Maple Leaf Gardens in Worksop. The incident happened at around 5:46pm. Police received a report that a man and a woman had been attacked by an XL bully-type dog inside a property.” The force has not yet confirmed whether the dog was registered or if any arrests have been made in connection with the attack.

Ownership laws surrounding XL bully dogs have been the subject of significant public and political attention in the UK. Since February 2024, it has been a criminal offence to own one of the breed without a government-issued exemption certificate. The legislative move followed alarming statistics, with official data showing that the breed had been disproportionately linked to fatal dog attacks in recent years. Between 2021 and 2023, over half of dog-related human deaths in the UK were caused by XL bully dogs.

Under current restrictions, registered XL bully dogs must be kept in secure housing, neutered, and always muzzled and on a lead when in public, though these requirements do not extend to private homes. Owners found in possession of an unregistered XL bully face severe consequences, including the seizure of the animal, up to six months’ imprisonment, and potentially unlimited fines.

The incident in Worksop is the latest in a series of troubling cases involving the breed, reigniting debate about the effectiveness of the ban and the enforcement of existing regulations. While the exact circumstances surrounding Thursday’s attack remain under investigation, it will likely add to calls for stricter oversight and more rigorous checks on dog ownership compliance.

Police have yet to issue further updates on the victims’ conditions or on the status of the animal involved. The cordon in the area has since been lifted, but authorities have reiterated the importance of the public adhering to dog control laws to prevent further incidents of this nature.