The man killed in a horrific attack involving two suspected XL Bully dogs reportedly died defending his elderly mother from the animals.

Ian Price, from Stonnall, Staffordshire, was mauled to death by the two dogs which jumped out of a neighbour’s window yards from a primary school.

Witnesses said the dogs entered Mr Price’s mother’s garden through a hedge before ‘setting’ on him in an attack said to have lasted up to 20 minutes. They added that it was so violent, the animals tore Mr Price’s clothes from his body. 

Today Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that XL Bully dogs would be banned before the end of the year – two days after a ten-year-old boy was mauled by an out-of-control animal as he played football.

In a video announcement posted to his X account, Mr Sunak said the breed would be banned following a ‘pattern of behaviour [that] cannot go on’.

The breed was linked to six of the 10 fatal dog attacks in the UK in 2022, and has been involved in at least five fatalities this year. 

Ian Price has been named as the man who died in an attack involving two suspected XL Bully dogs in Stonnall, Staffordshire, on Thursday

Ian Price, pictured with Mike Tindall, is said to have stepped in to see the dogs off after they entered his mother’s garden

Ian Price, pictured with Claire Balding, was killed in a horrifying attack that lasted up to 20 minutes

Pictured: These are the dogs believed to have been involved in the attack, according to locals. One of the animals died while being restrained; the other was given a lethal injection by a vet

Another picture of the dogs alleged to have attacked Mr Price, according to eyewitnesses. Locals say the attack was so violent that the animals tore Mr Price’s clothes from his body

Police on the scene in Main Street, Stonnall. Neighbours said that the dogs emerged from a neighbour’s home before mauling Mr Price

Mr Price, from Stonnall in Staffordshire, was pronounced dead by medics despite efforts to treat him in an air ambulance

The announcement came after a man was mauled to death by two dogs in Stonnall, Staffordshire – yards from a local primary school

Mr Price with former footballer-turned manager Paul Ince. The local businessman was well known in Stonnall and his wife is a teaching assistant at the nearby school

Armed police on the scene in Stonnall, Staffordshire, after the fatal attack on Mr Price

An armed police officer carrying a rifle is seen patrolling the cordon in Stonnall where Mr Price was brutally killed by the two animals

American XL Bully dogs will be banned in the UK by the end of the year

The Stonnall incident saw air ambulance, paramedics and police officers, including armed response units, called to Main Street in the village shortly before 3.15pm. Despite the best efforts of medics on the way to hospital Mr Price, 52, was later pronounced dead.

A witness told The Sun: ‘It was so awful I can barely talk about it. He was mauled to death and it was just horrendous.

‘One brave man got a big stick and was hitting the dogs and trying to get them off but the dogs just took no notice.

‘Eventually he got one of the dogs off the man and the other ran back through the hedge to its home – but by then it had been going on for 15 to 20 minutes.’

Neighbour Amanda Ward said her student nurse daughter saw Mr Price being mauled two death by the two ‘devil’ dogs.

Amy Bridgewater, 20, described the horrifying attack to her mum, which has left her traumatised.

 Mrs Ward, 55, said her daughter, a third-year student nurse, raced to the scene from her home yesterday afternoon after hearing ‘ear-piercing screams’ outside.

Mrs Ward told MailOnline: ‘Amy is still in a state of shock by what she witnessed. It was absolutely horrific and has shaken the whole village to the core.’

Mrs Ward, recounting the terrifying ordeal, explained: ‘Amy heard ear-piercing screams and ran out of that house. She saw the white dog covered in blood and wagging its tail with the other dog nearby.

‘They had ripped the clothes off the poor man and he was lying on the ground with just his boxer shorts on and covered in blood.

‘It was a sickening sight for everyone to see. The dogs were XL Bully types and had both gone mad.

‘Amy said that lots of people were trying to fight off the dogs by shoving wheelie bins against them.

‘The man was lying on the ground, he looked unconscious in just his boxer shorts. The dogs had torn his clothes to shreds, ripping them off his body.’

Just a day before the fatal attack in Stonnall, a ten-year-old boy was attacked outside his house as he played football in the street

Mohammed Sami Raza yelled for help as the dog clamped its jaws around his forearm, leaving him with injuries to his arms, legs and neck

The schoolboy at Walsall Manor Hospital where he is still undergoing treatment for his injuries

Mohammed with his dad, Gohar Siddique, who has called on the owners of bigger dogs to ensure they are secured and kept under control

Mrs Ward added that Mr Price is believed to have been visiting his elderly mother who lives opposite the family home and whom ‘he visited every day.’

It is understood he was savaged by the runaway dogs as he was leaving his mum’s home.

Mr Price’s wife is a classroom assistant at the nearby St Peter’s Primary School which was put into lockdown following the attack. The couple have two children – a son and daughter both at university.

Mrs Ward said: ‘Ian and his family are well known in the village and what happened is a tragedy and everyone is deeply shocked.

‘My daughter knows his wife and is extremely upset by what she saw. Amy would have tried to have administered first aid but by the time she got there it was too late.

‘It was a horrible scene for Amy and other people to witness. It is bad enough to be attacked by one dog, not two.

‘I am so thankful that the Prime Minister has finally agreed to ban these killer dogs. He must make sure we get rid of these horrendous dogs.

‘As a third-year student nurse, Amy is allowed to go out and help administer first aid but she is told she does not have to help in dog attack situations.’

St Peter’s CE Primary Academy, close to the scene of Thursday’s dog attack in Stonnall, issued a statement after the news that a man had died.

The school said: ‘Staff at St Peter’s CE Primary Academy were notified around 3.25pm of an incident on Main Street.

‘The academy immediately sent a text through to all parents to notify them of the incident, with leaders and teachers advising pupils and parents to return to the academy site.

‘The academy gates remained closed until further notification was received by the police; it was safe to reopen the site.

‘The actions and behaviours of pupils, staff and parents during this incident was greatly recognised by the academy.

‘St Chad’s Academies Trust, who operates St Peter’s CE Primary Academy, continues to support the pupils and staff along with colleagues from Lichfield Diocese, Schools Advisory Service and local clergy in providing as much support as it can to the school community at present. The academy has remained open.

‘Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, pupils, parents and staff at the academy who are hurting from this news.’

The attack is the third to happen in the region in a week, after an 11-year-old girl was also mauled in Birmingham last week.

In his video, Mr Sunak said: ‘The American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children.

‘I share the nation’s horror at the recent videos we’ve all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL Bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

‘It’s clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs: it’s a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.

‘While owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public.

‘Today, I have tasked ministers to bring together police and experts to firstly define the breed of dog behind these attacks with a view to then outlawing it.

‘It is not currently a breed defined in law so this vital first step must happen fast.

‘We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.’

Ana Paun was walking to the shops with her 18-year-old sister when an XL Bully leapt up at her from a bus shelter in Birmingham last Saturday

Footage of the savage dog attack in Birmingham that left Ana, and two men, injured

The fatality in Stonnall is the third dog attack in less than a week across the West Midlands

Mr Sunak added: ‘These dogs are dangerous. I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe.’

The mother of a 10-year-old boy who was mauled to death by an XL Bully said she was lost for words following the announcement.

Emma Whitfield’s son Jack Lis died after he was savaged by the animal, called Beast, on 8 November 2021 in Caerphilly.

Brandon Hayden, 19, and Amy Salter, 29, both of the Welsh town, were jailed for four-and-a-half years and three years respectively after being convicted of being in charge of the dangerously out of control dog.

Ms Whitfield, quoting the PM’s video, tweeted: ‘I’m sobbing. I’m sat on my own sobbing. I don’t even have words right now.’

Downing Street denied the Government has taken too long to ban American XL bully dogs.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said work had begun on outlawing the breed before the fatal attack on Thursday. 

He said: ‘The work was already under way before yesterday certainly, but clearly we have seen a spate of horrendous incidents and whilst we recognise there are a range of views on this issue, the Prime Minister is of the view that it is right to act. Firstly to define this breed, and then to ban it.’

Asked whether ministers had ‘dragged their heels’ on commencing work to outlaw the breed, the spokesman added: ‘I wouldn’t accept that. I think we’ve obviously been doing some policy work on this and you heard from the Home Secretary recently about how to take this forward. 

‘Clearly this breed of dog isn’t defined in law so it’s right to take the time to consider the best way to put an end to these horrendous attacks that we’re seeing.’

The PM’s video alluded to the fatal attack in Stonnall on Thursday, which took place yards from a local primary school.

Mr Sunak said his ‘thoughts are with the victim and their families’ after the incident, which both he and police have said was suspected to involve two XL Bully-type dogs.

Speaking to broadcasters in Downing Street on Friday, Mr Sunak said the American XL bully is ‘clearly a danger to communities’ as he laid out the plan for banning the dog type by the end of the year.

Asked whether there was a risk other dogs such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier could be caught up in the ban, the Conservative Party leader said animal experts and police would work to ‘accurately define the breed of concern’.

He added: ‘It is right we take urgent action to stop these attacks and protect the public.’

Ministers have been ordered to convene a panel of experts and police chiefs to define the XL Bully breed – with a view to banning it under the Dangerous Dogs Act (file picture)

Police standing guard outside a house in Stonnall, Staffordshire on Friday. A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and of being in charge of dangerously out of control dogs, suspected to be XL Bullies

Jack Lis, 10, died after he was savaged to death by a Bully XL in Caerphilly in November 2021. His mother, Emma Whitfield, who has campaigned for the dogs to be banned, said she was lost for words following the PM’s announcement

Sharing Mr Sunak’s announcement video, Ms Whitfield said she was ‘sobbing’ at the news

Metropolitan Police data shows how the American Bully has become the most seized dog in London in recent years

One of the dogs involved died after it was restrained, while the other was administered with a lethal injection by a vet. Police sources say that both animals were XL Bully-type dogs. 

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and of being in charge of dangerously out of control dogs, and is due to be interviewed by detectives today.

Superintendent Tracy Meir said: ‘I would like to offer my condolences to the loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life in this horrendous dog attack. We are continuing to support them at this incredibly difficult time.

‘Detectives continue to investigate and we have taken statements, viewed CCTV and carried out house-to-house enquiries in the local area but are keen to speak to anyone with information.’

Less than a day before, emergency services had rushed to Bentley Drive in Walsall following reports that a 10-year-old boy had been savaged by a dog running free in the street.

The brown canine was captured on CCTV running past Mohammed Sami Raza as he played in the street at around 7.30pm on Wednesday – before suddenly turning and pouncing on him.

In horrific footage released by the family, the boy can be seen struggling for an agonising 30 seconds as the dog tugs at his arm and refuses to let go.

Anguished family members then rush outside, trying to coax the animal away. It is only after more than a minute of being struck that the vicious animal eventually loosens its grip. 

A grievous close-up of the boy’s injuries shows horrific gouge marks in his right forearm, as he lies on a hospital bed wrapped in blood-covered sheets. He is still at Walsall Manor Hospital awaiting surgery.

Gohar Siddique, the boy’s father, shared the awful clip because he wants to raise awareness, saying the phone call he received to tell him about the attack was one ‘no father wants to get’. While the breed of the dog in the video is unknown, he urged owners to keep their pets locked up.

The 36-year-old factory worker and dad-of-four said: ‘You just never expect this to happen to your own child. He was just playing football in the street.

‘He has very bad injuries and is still awaiting surgery now. He is being very brave but it has been traumatic for the family. It was terrifying.

‘I just want to make sure this doesn’t happen to other people. This should not be happening to young children and its happened three times in our region this week.

‘If it were my two-year-old son was outside he would not be alive. If nobody had noticed this attack when they did then maybe Mohammed would be too.

‘It was just relentless. The dog would not let go. It was only when the passing taxi driver smacked it really hard that it finally stopped.

‘He must have been terrified. It’s hard to watch the video but I just want to make others aware. These dog attacks are happening far too often.

‘People need to make sure they have big dogs locked away. These can be dangerous animals in the wrong hands.’

Wayne Stevens (left), 51, was fatally attacked by an unknown breed of dog in April. His brother Gary (right), 54, has pleaded guilty to being in charge of a ‘dangerously out of control’ animal

The number of fatal dog attacks in the UK have soared in recent years – hitting a record high in 2022

A 60-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out-of-control and causing injury.

She was later released with a caution and voluntarily gave up the dog to be ‘humanely destroyed’, West Midlands Police said.

And in the third attack in the West Midlands in less than a week, an 11-year-old girl was among three people injured after an out-of-control XL Bully-Staffordshire bull terrier cross embarked on a chaotic spree of violence in Birmingham.

Ana Paun had been walking home from buying sweets with her sister when the dog leapt up at her from a bus stop on Saturday September 9, before it savaged two men in the forecourt of a nearby petrol station.

The PM’s announcement came amid multiple fresh reports on Friday of XL Bully-type dogs attacking children across the country.

Four children were injured after being attacked by family dogs in incidents in Yorkshire. Among those injured was a 15-year-old girl who was hospitalised by an XL Bully last weekend.

South Yorkshire Police said it is currently receiving between 140 and 185 calls a month for out-of-control dogs causing injury or panic, reports the Mirror.

Dog Legislation Officer PC Paul Jameson said a 15-year-old girl was hospitalised after being attacked by an XL Bully and is urging people to take greater care with their animals, and to report concerns they have about dangerous pets.

Mr Jameson said: ‘Nationally, and within South Yorkshire, we are seeing an increase in dangerous dog incidents and the severity of the risk they pose to members of the public.

‘We are not only urging parents to think about their own dogs and their children’s behaviour around them, but to also report concerns you may have around dogs in the community, especially where vulnerable people live.’ 

And on Friday morning, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it was probing a fresh attack on a four-year-old child involving a ‘grey coloured pitbull type dog’.

The animal is said to have bitten the child on the leg during the incident at Hermit Road Park in East London at around 6.18pm on September 11, before turning on the boy’s father and attempting to bite him.

Its owner is then said to have called off the animal, before fleeing the scene. The boy was taken to a hospital in East London, where his condition was described as ‘not life threatening’.

Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact the Met quoting reference 6646 of September 11.

Elsewhere in London, officers in Barnsbury said on Friday afternoon that they had seized three dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act after the animals were ‘dangerously out of control’.

Posting from the @MPSBarnsbury account, the Met tweeted: ‘These dogs were dangerously out of control; two of them killed several other pets, while the third attacked and bit a man who was trying to protect his own dog.’

Meanwhile, a man has admitted being in charge of a dangerous dog that killed his brother in an attack in Derby earlier this year.

Gary Stevens’ pet fatally attacked 51-year-old Wayne Stevens at a house in Cameron Road, Normanton, Derby, at around 5.50am on April 22.

At a hearing at Derby Crown Court, Stevens, 54, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act of being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.

The dog was ‘destroyed at the scene’ due to ‘presenting a risk to officers and the public’, Derbyshire Police said at the time, but its breed was not mentioned during the hearing.

Dog behaviour expert Stan Rawlinson says he ‘wouldn’t go near’ an XL Bully and says the animal’s cross-bred nature makes it difficult to define

Prosecutor Julia King told the court: ‘I would argue that this was high culpability.

‘I would argue that the behaviour witnessed by a number of witnesses can be relied upon to inform the court as to the circumstances which in fact led to the death.’

Stevens, in jeans and a blue jacket, sat silently in the dock looking forward throughout.

His barrister Tony Stanford said: ‘Clearly this was an extremely upsetting incident for him to witness and be a part of.

‘He tried to pull the dog off his brother, to save his brother.

‘He bears considerable psychological guilt.’

Adjourning proceedings, Judge Shaun Smith KC said: ‘You have pleaded guilty to a very serious offence.

‘Prison is the most likely option, it is just a question of how long.

‘But I will give you bail in the meantime, so you can put your affairs in order.’

Stevens, of Cameron Road, will be sentenced at the same court on November 3.

Campaigners have been calling for a ban on XL Bullies amid claims that they are involved in an increasing number of attacks on people and other animals.

The cross-breed has become the most seized in London, according to official Metropolitan Police data, surpassing other dogs such as German Shepherds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and pitbulls.

Concurrently, the number of fatal dog attacks in the UK has risen to record levels in recent years.

The breed – a mix of American pitbull terriers crossed with bulldogs – is beloved by a number of celebrities, including rapper Drake, but in the UK are believed to be the work of poor-quality breeding.

Dog behaviour expert Stan Rawlinson previously expressed concerns over whether the XL Bully could be banned because it isn’t defined as a breed.

He said: ‘XL Bully dogs are very reactive. They’re like the old Roman dogs of war that attacked Britain and helped forge an empire across the continent. 

‘More people are going to die unless we do something about it. 

‘They aren’t an official breed, it’s impossible to track them. The American Pitbull has been banned since 1991 but they are still coming in. That dog is the starting point for the XL Bully and more are being brought in every day.’

The exact number of XL Bully dogs in the UK is unclear as the Kennel Club doesn’t officially recognise the breed.

Criminal defence lawyer Rhianna Tsiattalou, of Stokoe Partnership Solicitors, believes that the cross-bred nature of the dogs could make any ban difficult to enforce.

She said: ‘While legislation can be black and white, the cross-bred nature of these dogs means that even if this ban comes into force, it would be a challenge to enforce it in every case.

‘If the data available to the government and experts is that these dogs are, in fact, inherently dangerous, then Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act (requiring owners to keep dogs under control) will not go far enough to protect the public.’