'XL bully' found dead in south London with skull fracture and set on fire - Carshalton

A dog thought to be an XL bully has been found dead in a south London alleyway with a fractured skull. The RSPCA has launched an investigation.

The dog had his legs tied together, had been set on fire and had one of his ears cut off.

A member of the public made the shocking discovery in Waltham Road, Carshalton, on Saturday (December 30) and reported it to the RSPCA.

The organisation says initial enquiries made by the inspector found that the dog had escaped from a garden after wind blew down a fence during the weekend’s storms.

RSPCA inspector Harriet Daliday said: “At this stage we don’t know for certain if the dog had sustained the head injury after being hit by a car, or whether this was done deliberately.

“It is deeply concerning that the dog was found with his legs tied together and had been set on fire. The dog also had one of his ears cut off. We are appealing for anyone who has any information about this incident to contact us in complete confidence.”

Those with information should contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01202686.

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From Sunday (December 31), new restrictions make it a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public. It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.

The government says the decision to ban XL Bully dogs was made following a concerning rise in attacks from the dogs.

In the last three years 23 people lost their lives after dog attacks, says the government, which added: "XL Bullies have been involved in many of these tragic deaths."