Authorities in Sheffield are dealing with a concerning situation involving an "aggressive" XL Bully dog that has gone missing after being shot at by police. The incident unfolded last night in the Hillfoot area, near Upperthorpe, where responding officers were initially called to a report of a gun being fired at a property.
Upon arriving at the scene at approximately 10:04 PM, the police encountered the XL Bully, which displayed aggressive behaviour. As part of their attempts to control the situation, an officer discharged a firearm at the dog. Following this engagement, the dog managed to flee and has remained unaccounted for as of Friday.
South Yorkshire Police have acknowledged the community's concerns regarding the roaming dog and have urged vigilance among residents. In their statement, the police declared they are making every effort to locate the animal and to identify any individuals who may be concealing it to avoid police intervention. They have also confirmed that it is currently "unknown" whether the dog sustained any injuries from the police shot.
Chief Superintendent Jamie Henderson, from South Yorkshire Police, addressed the public, stating: “I would like to assure you that we are doing all we can to locate the dog or find those who may have housed it to evade police contact.” He emphasised the importance of community awareness, advising residents not to approach the dog due to its potential for aggression. Henderson urged anyone who spots the dog to call 999 immediately, while information regarding its location can be reported online, through live chat, or by contacting the police on 101, quoting incident number 948 of 3 April 2025.
As officers continue their search for the XL Bully, the situation remains fluid and authorities are keen to receive any assistance from the public.
Source: Noah Wire Services