An XL Bully dog that sparked a major city-wide search after evading armed police in Sheffield last week has been found and humanely destroyed due to its injuries, South Yorkshire Police have confirmed.
The dog was initially encountered by police on 3 April during an investigation into a reported firearms discharge at a property on Daniel Hill Street in the Hillfoot area of the city.
According to officers, the animal became “aggressive” during the operation, prompting armed marksmen to open fire. Despite being hit, the dog fled the scene, launching a large-scale public alert.
At approximately 13:20 BST on Friday, police located a dog matching the description on Banks Hill Road. Following veterinary examination, it was determined that the extent of the animal’s injuries—believed to be sustained during the previous week’s shooting—necessitated euthanasia.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: “We have informed the dog’s owner and the dog has been disclaimed by her. On veterinary advice, and due to the nature of the dog’s injuries, it was decided the most humane course of action was to put the dog down.”
Confirmation that it was the same dog came after forensic testing earlier this week matched blood found at the original scene with the animal found on Friday. The results confirmed that the dog had indeed been injured when police discharged their firearms on 3 April.
The incident has drawn significant attention, both for the aggressive behaviour of the animal and the extensive effort made to locate it. Police had urged members of the public not to approach the dog if spotted, describing it as capable of aggression and potential harm.
Chief Superintendent Jamie Henderson expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance during the search: “I would like to thank the public for remaining vigilant when this animal was loose. Their cooperation was invaluable in bringing this matter to a close.”
The original firearms incident remains under investigation. Police revealed that five individuals had been arrested in connection with the case. Of those, two men have now been formally charged with firearms offences.
Ch Supt Henderson added: “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported firearms discharge on 3 April. We urge anyone who witnessed the events or has information that could assist with the investigation to come forward.”
South Yorkshire Police continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with relevant information to contact them via 101 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
This case also comes amid ongoing national discussions about the future of XL Bully dogs in the UK, with the breed having been at the centre of various high-profile incidents in recent years.
While it is not yet confirmed whether the dog in question was legally owned under new restrictions, its behaviour and the nature of police engagement have reignited debate over public safety and enforcement measures.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
