A dog expert has called for a ban on breeders creating monster dogs he says could kill a person in less than 60 seconds.
The American Bully XL breed has been involved in more fatal attacks since 2021 in the UK than any other, with seven deaths in the last 12 months blamed on the animals.
Last month beloved dad Jonathan Hogg was mauled to death by an XL Bully days before his daughter's second birthday, before armed police humanely destroyed the beast.
Dog behaviourist Stan Rawlinson has warned the number of deaths caused by the breed in the coming months and years will “soar”.
He told MailOnline: “We averaged three dog attack deaths a year for the past 25 years. From that, we had ten last year with up to seven related to the XL Bully. This is only going to get worse.
“They could kill you in about a minute and the worst thing is no one knows how many there are in the UK. There are at least thousands but we just don't know for sure.
"Amateurs are tinkering with DNA, giving these dogs enhanced muscles, trying to create monsters and they've managed it.”
He added the situation is going to get “considerably worse”.
Yesterday it was reported more than 1,700 children were treated in hospital after being bitten by dogs last year.
Animal charities said just over four kids were admitted every day.
Experts warned parents all dogs can bite, as they predict a spike in attacks in the summer holidays.
Dr Samantha Gaines, head of companion animals at the RSPCA, said: “We don’t ever expect our own dogs to bite but all dogs can.”
Dr Gaines called the figures worrying after 1,726 children were hospitalised in 2022.
Katrina Phillips OBE, chief executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, said: “The summer holidays bring an increase in dog bites, as children and dogs spend more time together at home.
“Give your dog a safe space they can go to when they need time out from children’s exuberance.
“Watch, listen and stay close when your dog and child are together. And learn dog body language so you can spot the early warning signs and separate them before the worst happens.
“Even a much-loved family pet can bite if they feel they have no other option.”
The Mirror is campaigning to overhaul the Dangerous Dogs Act as Brits continue to be killed or seriously injured in vicious dog attacks.
