American bully XL dogs: Girl hurt in attack wants breed banned

An 11-year-old girl who was attacked by a dog in Birmingham has backed calls for American bully XL dogs to be banned.

Ana Paun said she was "terrified" and "screaming for help" as the dog grabbed her in Bordesley Green on Saturday.

Two men who intervened were also treated in hospital after being bitten by the animal, a bully XL crossed with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Ana's mum said she thanked God her daughter was alive.

The prime minister's spokesman said the attack was shocking and the government was taking it extremely seriously.

The home secretary said she was seeking "urgent advice" on banning "lethal" bully XL dogs.

Ana had been visiting the shops with her 18-year-old sister when she noticed the dog in the street.

"The dog was staring at me and I got scared, so I started to run," she said, adding she felt "really panicked" as she fled.

"The dog grabbed my hand and started moving me about," she said.

"I was so scared. I was screaming for help but [couldn't] do anything.

"I was being attacked, it was hurting me.

"Someone grabbed him off my hand, and after he let go of my arm he went on my shoulder and he bit my shoulder as well.

"I think someone hit him with a scooter and I got up and ran into the shop."

The dog chased a number of people and set upon a man in a petrol station forecourt

Ana spent Saturday night in hospital but was released on Sunday evening.

She is grateful for those who stepped in to help her but believes the dog's owner should have been more responsible.

"I think they should be banned all those bulldogs should be banned."

West Midlands Police said Ana was bitten after the powerful animal broke free from its owner.

Following the initial attack, a 20-year-old man was chased across a garage forecourt by the dog before it set upon him.

He was taken to hospital with bite wounds to his forearm, along with cuts and bruises from being dragged across the ground, the force said.

Another man injured by the animal took himself to hospital for treatment.

Police said the dog's owner was currently in hospital, but not as a result of any injuries sustained in the attack.

Yousf Khan Ahmadzai was injured by the animal when he went to Ana's aid

Car wash worker Yousf Khan Ahmadzai was also injured by the dog as he tried to intervene during the attack.

"The dog was out of control, it went crazy," he said.

Speaking to the BBC in Pashto as his friend translated, he said he had been prompted to act after hearing Ana's screams.

"I tried to grab the girl, my first attempt failed and the second time I managed to free the girl from the dog," he said.

People have been telling the BBC how they feel about bully XLs

"They hurt my husband's arm and crushed my dog. What sort of dog should be roaming the streets like that? If was a child it would be dead. I hate them. They ruined our lives" - Pam, from Doncaster and whose dog was attacked by two American bullies, told BBC Radio 5 Live

"I took my dog and my baby on a walk and this dog just got out and went for me. My dog got away so it went for me again. I was really lucky because I got saved by a lorry driver. If it wasn't for him I would probably be in a very, very different condition" - Katie, from Doncaster, who was injured by a bully XL three weeks ago, told 5 Live

"She's just the sloppiest, dopiest dog I've ever owned. She's great with other people, her only downside is she gets excited when she sees people. The problem is not the breed but irresponsible owners." - Charlotte Towner told BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat

"I'm not bothered by children running around near him because I have trained him very well. They are so loving. They are known as a family dog" - American bully owner Mollie told Newsbeat

How many people die because of dog bites?

• Ten people died because of dog bite injuries in England and Wales last year

• Numbers of attacks are rising. There there were 8,819 admissions to hospitals in England with dog bites last year. There were 4,699 in 2007

• Four dog breeds are banned in the UK - the Pit bull terrier, the Japanese tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro

• Dogs that share physical characteristics to banned breeds, such as cross-breeds, are also banned

• Owning a banned dog can result in an unlimited fine and a prison sentence of up to six months

• Read government guidance on dog ownership for more information.