The American Bully is a relatively new breed in the United Kingdom and as it isn't a registered recognized breed with the
UK Kennel Club, there is no clear idea of how many dogs or breeders there may be in the United Kingdom.
[8] Despite being relatively new, in recent years, a large proportion of human fatalities due to dog attacks in the UK have involved American Bully dogs.
In 2021, of a total of four fatal dog attacks in the UK, the American Bully was responsible for two deaths, and the closely related American Bulldog responsible for one death.
[9][10][11][12]
In 2022, of a total of ten fatal dog attacks in the UK, six fatalities listed the American Bully as the breed responsible, with victims ranging in ages from 17 months to 62 years old.
[13][14][15][16][17][18][19]
On March 22, 2022, a 17-month old toddler, Bella-Rae Birch, was mauled to death in St Helens, Merseyside. The dog, an American Bully, had been bought as a family pet one week previously.
[20]
On July 16, 2022, Joanne Robinson of Rotherham, England, was killed in her own home when she was attacked by her pet American Bully XL. The dog, one of a pair, was reputed to weigh 196 lb (89 kg).
[21]
On August 10, 2022, Ian Symes, an experienced and professional dog-walker, was mauled to death while walking through a park in Fareham, Hampshire.
[22] At an inquest, Coroner Sarah Whitby described 'Mr Symes engaged in some play with Kong who responded with default behaviour aggression and bit his neck and torso repeatedly, severing the voice box and puncturing all four major blood vessels of the neck and severely damaging his spinal column.' Dr Candy d'Sa, a dog behaviour expert who was part of a team that tested Kong in the days after the incident before it was put down said: 'I believe Mr Symes was having rough play with Kong. (The dog) became over-aroused and quickly became aggressive. If the dog has not been trained to stop it won't stop. The dog weighed more than the victim and standing up it would have been at face height on its hind legs.'
[23]
On January 12, 2023, Natasha Johnston, a 28-year old dog walker, was killed whilst walking 8 dogs in Surrey, England.
[24] An inquest found she died from "multiple penetrating bites to the neck",
[25] with Surrey Police confirming she died of shock and haemorrhage, including a wound to her left jugular vein.
[26] Police confirmed that one of the dogs, an American XL Bully, belonged to Johnston. After a forensic veterinary report, the American XL Bully, believed to have been responsible for Johnston's death, was euthanised following the attack.
[27]
On May 18, 2023, a 37-year old man, Jonathan Hogg, who worked as a dog carer, was killed in Leigh, near Manchester, England. In response, Detective Chief Inspector John Davies said: "Greater Manchester Police officers searched two houses and seized 15 dogs (six adults and nine puppies) believed to be the same breed as that which attacked Jonathan."
[28]