IMAGE: Mother of two, 43, beaten to death by her XL Bully dog as her partner, 42, recovers in hospital after being attacked by a dog in their home
- A 43-year-old woman has been killed in an attack with a dog in Rotherham, South Yorkshire
- A man, 42, suffered a life-changing hand injury and suffered facial and abdominal injuries
- The dog involved has been reported to be the family’s XL Bully, which is a legal breed
A mother of two who was beaten to death by her American Bully XL dog while her partner suffered life-changing injuries is pictured.
The woman, known locally as Joanne Robinson, died Friday evening at the scene of the attack at a house in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
The 43-year-old is said to have owned the animal, which is on the list of legal dog breeds, and attacked her around 10 p.m.
Flower arrangements have been left to the mother, with neighbors describing her as a ‘sweet lady’.
Joanne Robinson (pictured), 43, was sadly killed by her American Bully XL dog at her Rotherham home on Friday night
A man also suffered life-changing injuries after being attacked by a dog, police said. In the photo: South Yorkshire police officers were on the scene on Saturday morning
Dozens of flowers have already been laid at the site of the attack that tragically killed a woman
Bouquets were left outside the house with messages like ‘We love you!’
Photos from the scene show that the woman seemed to be known and loved locally
Yorkshire Live reports that her partner, a 42-year-old man, suffered injuries to his hands, abdomen and face when he tried to save her.
South Yorkshire Police say two dogs have been seized and removed from the site, neither of which is on the banned breed list.
Police said neither are considered “prohibited breeds” under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
A police statement said: ‘We were called to a property on Masefield Road in West Melton about 10:15 pm last night by a member of the public who said a dog had attacked himself and a woman.
South Yorkshire Police forensic officers at the scene of a fatal dog attack in Rotherham
‘Officers present with a Yorkshire Ambulance’ [Service] crew and found a 42-year-old man with a potentially life-changing injury to one hand, plus injuries to his other hand, abdomen and face. He was transported to hospital for further treatment.
The woman, 43, had been fatally bitten and, despite the best efforts of the emergency services at the scene, was sadly declared dead.
“The dog, plus another dog on the property, were secured by specially trained officers. Neither dog was a forbidden breed.’
There have been numerous incidents involving Bully XL dogs, with police confirming in March that Bella-Rae Birch, a 17-month-old girl, was killed by one of them in her own home.
Bullying dogs have grown in popularity in recent years. Shown is a file image of an American Bully dog
Police said the toddler was attacked at her family’s home in St Helens, Merseryside, a week after they bought the dog.
It was also reported that a Bully XL killed Welsh schoolboy Jack Lis in a brutal attack last year.
According to the UK Bully Kennel Club website, the American Bully XL is a large breed, with males standing between 51cm and taller.
The Club says: ‘Despite its considerable size, the XL is highly regarded not only for its impressive stature, but also for its gentle personality and loving disposition.
“It’s a recent breed, dating back to the 1980s, and its distinctive build and length, coupled with a compassionate nature, means its popularity continues to grow.”