A dog has been euthanised and its owner injured after they were attacked by an XL bully, according to police. It happened in Broadmead Avenue, Northampton, at about 19:20 GMT on New Year's Day. Police said the XL bully attacked a pomeranian and chihuahua cross-breed called Rex being walked by his owner.

A ban on XL Bully dogs comes into force tomorrow, meaning it will be illegal to keep one unless the owner has a certificate of exemption.

Figures obtained by The Independent showed dog attacks rose by nine per cent in the first five months since the ban was brought in on XL bully dogs

The State is set to oppose an injunction application brought by six animal welfare organisations seeking to halt a new law restricting ownership of XL bully dogs which they say is too vague and disproportionate to impose a criminal liability on owners failing to comply.

As the XL Bully ban marks its first year, the financial and logistical strain on police forces intensifies, with thousands of dogs seized and a staggering rise in costs, sparking a complex debate on public safety and resource allocation.

XL bully dogs were banned in the UK last year with a number of other illegal breeds also being seized in the process as police use their tools to try tackle rise in dangerous dogs

Since February, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.