A family has been left heartbroken after their beloved toy poodle was savagely killed by an XL Bully dog in a residential street in the Midlands.
A Terrifying Late-Night Attack
Adam Ellis, 47, was walking his dog Lambert near his home in Aylestone, Leicester, when the violent incident unfolded. At around 11.30pm on Tuesday, November 25, an XL Bully dog leaped over a low fence and seized the small poodle.
Mr Ellis fought desperately to save his pet, kicking and punching the larger dog. During the struggle, the powerful XL Bully dragged the 17-stone man off his feet and into the road. An off-duty police officer came to his aid, but they were unable to prevent the tragedy.
"He was kicking and punching the dog," said Kathryn Ellis, Adam's wife. "It could have been much worse for my husband but he was left very shaken up and bruised." Mr Ellis suffered cuts and bruises during the attack.
A Family's Devastation and Community Fear
Kathryn described the horrifying moment her husband returned home. "I was horrified when I saw my husband return home with dead Lambert in his arms, soaked in blood," she said. "I had to scrub the blood off the driveway."
The couple are now considering counselling after the traumatic event. They are also grappling with how to explain the loss to their three-year-old son, who was thankfully not present during the attack. Lambert was a rescue dog who had been lovingly adopted into the family.
The attack has intensified existing fears within the Aylestone community regarding dangerous dogs. Kathryn stated that people are "living in absolute fear" and that she is now afraid to take her other dog, aged 11, outside.
She criticised the XL Bully's owners, noting the dog was without a muzzle or lead and they were not present. "It's like letting a lion out of a zoo and being surprised when someone gets killed," she said.
Ongoing Investigation and Local Concerns
Kathryn revealed this is not an isolated incident in the area. She knows of two other dogs—a Labrador and a greyhound—that recently survived serious attacks, and another dog was killed by a dog approximately two months ago. "Aylestone has so many dog attacks," she stated.
She expressed frustration, suggesting the police seemed to know the specific XL Bully immediately from her husband's description and that it should have been seized sooner.
Leicestershire Police confirmed that the XL Bully involved was seized and has since been destroyed. A spokesperson said: "The dog died of its injuries. The XL Bully was seized by officers and has since been destroyed. No arrests have been made and an investigation into the incident remains ongoing."
The incident, reported to police on Wednesday, November 26, occurred near Belvoir Drive. The investigation continues as the community seeks answers and greater safety.
