An XL Bully dog has been shot dead by police after it attacked four people in Battersea, south London.
Armed police swooped on Home Road to reports of an out-of-control dog attacking members of the public at 10pm on Monday.
Four men were taken to hospital for their injuries, while officers shot the dog, reported to be an XL Bully, dead.
A Met spokesman said: “Due to the threat posed to the public by the dog, armed officers attended. After assessing the situation, officers took the difficult decision to destroy the dog and it was shot.
“Four men – all members of the public - were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries sustained during the dog attack. None of their injuries are life-threatening.”
Officers arrested a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman on suspicion of being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control after the attack.
Both remain in custody.
In a statement, Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova said she was “deeply concerned” by the attack.
“I am deeply concerned to hear about the XL bully dog attack that happened on Battersea Park Road yesterday evening,” she said.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims injured in the attack, and for their full recovery.
“I am in contact with the police and their enquiries are ongoing.”
Ms de Cordova added: “New laws have come into force that make it illegal to own an American XL Bully dog without an exemption certificate.
“It is vital that there is strong enforcement to make sure owners comply with the legislation.”
Last month, a mother told how her children were “lucky to be alive” after being allegedly attacked by an unmuzzled XL Bully in nearby Battersea Park in a separate incident.
The children, aged one and two, suffered bites after the dog jumped on them in Latchmere Recreation Ground in Battersea Park.
As of Feburary, it has been a criminal offence to own, breed or sell an American XL bully dog unless you have an exemption certificate.
In order to be exempted, owners have to prove that their XL bully has been neutered, with puppies required to be neutered by the end of 2024.
The ban was introduced by ministers after a spate of high-profile attacks involving the breed, several of which were deadly.
The breed is thought to have been around since the late 1980s, when American Staffordshire terriers and pitbull terriers were crossed.
Over time, they have been crossed with several other breeds to create an even more muscular dog.
