Hemel Hempstead has seen a rise in dog attack incidents over the last month, pre-empting the news that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak may be banning the XL Bully breed in the UK.
This comes after a dog attack in the town in August, which saw Hertfordshire Police appealing for witnesses and information. The owner subsequently came forward.
The incident occurred at around 7.55pm on Thursday, August 24, in the woods close to Rants Meadow. It is reported that the victim had been walking in the woods when a greyhound-style breed dog off the lead approached him and bit his hand.
The dog’s owner was believed to be apologetic for the dog’s behaviour and tried to get their pet onto the lead. However, the victim sustained an injury to the hand which required hospital treatment. Since then, the owner has come forward.
However, this has not been the only incident in Hemel Hempstead. Daniel Jones, 40, of The Spires, Selden Hill, Hemel Hempstead, pleaded not guilty at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday, September 13, to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control. The incident took place on April 23 this year, when a woman suffered a bite to the face.
Prosecutor Sarita Basra said the owners of the dog, which is called Zeus, were walking with Mr Jones at the time. They are not being prosecuted. Judge Rebecca Herbert bailed Jones for a trial on March 3, 2025.
These attacks come during a time when Prime Minister Sunak has announced that he has “ordered urgent work to define and ban” American XL Bully dogs, which he says are a “danger to our communities”.
Since the Prime Minister made his announcement, social media has been flooded with arguments both for and against the ban.
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