A man in his 20s remains in hospital after suffering serious injuries in a dog attack involving an XL Bully, West Midlands Police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called to Ripon Drive, West Bromwich, on Friday afternoon following reports of a vicious dog attack in the back garden of a residential property.

The victim, described by police as in a critical but stable condition, was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital by ambulance crews.

In a statement, police confirmed the dog involved in the attack was an XL Bully, a breed now banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Specialist officers from the force’s dog unit Tasered the dog, which subsequently died at the scene.

Two other dogs were seized from a nearby address and are now being held in police kennels.

On Monday, a 32-year-old man handed himself in to police and was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a dog dangerously out of control, as well as possessing a banned breed. He remains in custody for questioning.

A large police and ambulance presence was seen on Ripon Drive, with residents expressing shock at the scale of the emergency response. Photos from the scene show two police cars and an ambulance parked on the residential street.

The force is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and has urged any witnesses or those with information to come forward.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said:

“This was a frightening incident which left a man seriously injured. We are continuing to investigate and urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible.”

The incident comes amid heightened public concern following a series of XL Bully attacks across the UK, prompting tighter legislation and enforcement measures on ownership of the breed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 or through the force’s online reporting service quoting incident number 16/03/2025 – Ripon Drive.

For further updates, visit: www.westmidlands.police.uk