XL bully dog shot at Norfolk school after attacking owner

A member of the public had called the police to report the attack after an attack by the XL bully dog (similar to the one pictured)

An XL bully dog has been shot in a school car park after it ran there after attacking and injuring its owner, who was in her 60s.

Police were called to a back garden in Brisley in Norfolk just before 15:00 BST on Monday, but the dog escaped.

Officers located the pet at the village primary school and took the decision to destroy it after being unable to find a vet to sedate it.

The woman was taken to hospital, but her injuries were not life threatening.

Insp Diana Woodage said: "This was a terribly sad and distressing situation."

A member of the public had called the police to report the attack after hearing the woman "screaming for help" from her garden on Gateley Road.

Officers arrived to find the owner being mauled, and she was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to be treated for multiple injuries.

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Police said the dog was tied to a post in the school car park, in the village, which lies between Dereham and Fakenham

The dog was seen running loose towards Brisley Church of England Primary Academy after the attack and ended up in the school car park.

Police said someone had managed to secure the dog to a post in the car park.

Pupils and teachers were inside the main school building at the time, the force said.

A spokeswoman for the school said its car park was empty and the police asked for the gates to be closed, for the school to be evacuated and people to be moved out of the area towards the field.

Belinda Allen, head teacher, said: "Our school staff were alerted by the police that there was a dangerous dog and immediately actioned staff to clear the area.

"There was no immediate danger to staff or children within the school area."

Norfolk Police said officers contacted multiple veterinary practices to sedate the dog, but none were able to attend.

Due to the threat to the wider public, and with permission of the owners, the dog was destroyed by officers at about 16:46.

Insp Woodage said: "Officers were faced with an incredibly difficult situation when they arrived at the scene - a woman being viciously attacked by her dog... very clearly injured and in some pain."