An animal behaviour expert has issued a warning about the dangers of owning a 'super-breed' after an experienced dog walker was brutally mauled to death by an American Bully XL. An inquest has been opened into the death of Ian Symes, 34, who was killed by the "powerful" dog made of "pure muscle" while he walked him round a public park in Fareham, Hampshire, in August last year.
The dog walker has been looking after the 52kg pet named 'Kong' for a pal, who had bought the animal from travellers over Snapchat the previous day and did not receive any paperwork with the dog, the hearing was told. The Bully XL, which shares DNA with banned American Pit Bull Terriers, aggressively attacked Mr Syme by repeatedly biting down on his neck after he started playing with it, the Mirror reports.
Portsmouth Coroners' Court heard that the animal, that had not been "socialised", punctured the man's jugular vein, "crushed his voice box" and caused "widespread mangling" while it "ragged" him to the ground. During the inquest, animal expert Dr Candy d'Sa, who assessed Kong after the attack, issued a serious warning about the potential dangers of owning a Bully XL breed which she said has been "genetically modified" from banned Pit Bulls.
