Victims of XL bully attacks argue for owner punishment instead of breed bans
Wakefield: Two women who suffered serious injuries from XL bully attacks are speaking out against the breed ban. Gilana Milner, just 19, was working at an animal rescue when a bully attacked her while she was changing its water. It was terrifying; the dog dragged her down and wouldn’t let go until staff intervened.
Gilana thought she was going to die. She remembers feeling scared and just thinking about her mom. Even after the attack left her with scars and nerve damage, she believes banning the breed isn’t the answer. The law now makes it illegal to own an American bully XL in England and Wales without special permission.
She feels it’s unfair to put the dogs down. Instead, she thinks the focus should be on the owners. “People underestimate how strong these dogs are,” she said. “They see a big cuddly dog and don’t realize the danger.”
Then there’s Sophie Dollimore, 22, who also disagrees with the ban. She was bitten by what she believes was a banned XL bully while walking her own dog. Now, she’s calling for stricter penalties for owners of dangerous dogs. Sophie, who can’t work due to health issues, said the experience has made her scared of dogs.
She believes it’s not the dogs’ fault but rather the owners’ bad training. “The ban doesn’t work,” she said. “People are still getting hurt, and there’s no enforcement.”
In Sophie’s case, police arrested a man in connection with the attack, but the situation remains unresolved. Both women want to see more accountability for dog owners instead of just banning the breed.
