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XL Bully flees after armed police try to shoot it

Chloe Aslett
BBC News, Yorkshire
Chloe Aslett/BBC Four police cars crowded around a taped off area of a street.Chloe Aslett/BBC
Police were initially called out to reports of a gun being fired at a property in Daniel Hill Street in Hillfoot

Police have warned that an XL Bully dog may be on the loose in Sheffield after it escaped when armed officers tried to shoot it.

The animal ran off as police investigated reports of a gun being fired at a property in Daniel Hill Street in Hillfoot at about 22:00 BST on Thursday.

South Yorkshire Police said: "Upon their entry to the property, an XL Bully became aggressive. Officers fired a shot towards the dog and it fled the scene."

A few hours later, police found a gun had been fired after they were called to a crash involving a motorbike and a car in Stannington. A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a 39-year-old woman for possessing a firearm.

Chloe Aslett/BBC A CSI man kneels down and looks closely at a piece of evidence next to a marker on the floor. Police tape blocks off the street. There is countryside in the background.Chloe Aslett/BBC
Investigators were still at the scene in Hillfoot later on Friday

The rider of the motorbike, a 36-year-old man, was also arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and was taken to hospital with minor injuries. All three remain in police custody.

Police said they believed the incidents were linked. They did not know if the dog was injured.

Ch Supt Jamie Henderson, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "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.

"We appreciate people in our communities being vigilant, and I ask that you get in touch immediately if you see the dog.

"I urge you not to approach the dog, as we believe it has the ability to show aggression and cause harm."

During searches at properties believed to be linked to the incidents, police said they found a firearm and two dogs, one of which is believed to be an XL Bully. Both dogs were seized and remain in police kennels.

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