XL Bully assault: man, 69, was ‘one chew away from being killed’

A father-of-three was ‘one bite away from being killed’ after an XL Bully launched a savage attack, tearing out ‘chunks of [his] flesh. 

Resham Singh, 69, was taking a walk near his home in Gravesend, Kent, when the beast ambushed him from behind.

The vicious dog sunk his teeth into the defenceless man, biting him all over his body before dragging him through the street – leaving a pool of flesh and blood in its wake.

The victim suffered severe injuries to his arms, legs, and shoulder and is still recovering in Medway Maritime Hospital, where doctors have warned he may need reconstructive surgery.

Mr Singh’s son, Raj Dhanda, said: ‘My dad was one bite away from being killed. This dog has mauled him. It’s not an exaggeration.

Father-of-three Resham Singh, 69, (pictured) was walking near his home in Gravesend, Kent, when he was viciously ambushed by an XL Bully

The beast sunk his teeth into the defenceless man, tearing out chunks of his flesh and leaving a pool of blood as he dragged him across the road (pictured: Mr Singh’s injuries)

‘There were chunks of flesh and blood clots on the floor. I’ve never seen that much blood from a human before.’

The 40-year-old added: ‘We’re lucky he’s alive – it could have been so much worse. If that was a kid, it would have been over.’

Locals rushed to help Mr Singh after hearing the brutal attack, with one attempting to fend the dog off with a mop.

Others performed compressions on the 69-year-old until an ambulance arrived on the scene on Tuesday.

The animal eventually fled the scene, however Kent Police have captured the animal and confirmed it was an XL Bully.

The police have also identified the owner, who is due to be interviewed under caution.

Mr Dhanda said: ‘We are grateful to the residents who pulled together to support my dad.

‘He was in quite a bad state. Paramedics couldn’t even put him straight into the ambulance because they needed to stabilise his wounds.’

In February, it became a criminal offence to own the huge dog breed in England and Wales – without an exemption certificate. 

Now XL Bully owners are required to have their pets both neutered, microchipped and they must be muzzled and on a lead at all times in public.

The latest addition to the government’s dangerous dog list, it is also against the law to breed, exchange, rehome or sell an XL Bully, according to the Blue Cross.

Machinery driver, Resham, who has been dubbed ‘the most polite person in the world’ has already been discussing getting back to work.

However, his family are worried if he will be able to fully recover from the trauma of the brutal attack. 

His son believes more should be done and there XL Bully’s should be tracked so those living locally can stay in the know.

Mr Dhanda also urges residents to report any owners who walk their pets without a muzzle.

‘It’s traumatic, it’s shocking, it’s saddening, and there’s a little bit of anger there too – not towards the dog but towards the people responsible,’ he said

I want to make sure owners are held to account.’ 

‘Registration is not enough. More needs to be done to alert the public about whether and where these dogs are around them.

Locals rushed to help Mr Singh after hearing the brutal attack, with one attempting to fend the dog off with a mop

The dog has since been seized by Kent Police and a woman was interviewed under caution following the vicious attack

‘And if a dog is this dangerous, people should be able to see where they are in their vicinity.

‘We expect the police to charge someone and for them to face the full force of the law. We are still awaiting updates here.’

Kent Police told MailOnline: ‘Kent Police was called at 8.48pm on Tuesday 2 July 2024 to a report of a dog having injured a man in Lingfield Road, Gravesend. 

‘Officers attended and the man was taken to a local hospital. A dog was seized and following the incident a woman was interviewed under caution. 

‘The investigation remains ongoing, and the victim of the incident remains in hospital at this time.’