ANOTHER weekend, another person killed by a vicious dog attack. This time it was Esther Martin, a 68-year-old grandmother who was attacked by dogs while visiting her grandson in Clacton-on-Sea.

Essex Police have refused to confirm the breed of the dogs who attacked Mrs Martin, but her daughter, Sonia, has stated that they were adult XL bully dogs.

The Government recently added XL bully dogs to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, but while breeding, selling or abandon them is now illegal, owners have been allowed to apply for a certificate of exemption enabling them to keep their XL bullies.

Already, however, that move looks like being insufficient. XL bully dogs are extremely dangerous. In the words of the Government, they have “great strength and power for their size”.

Are the current rules sufficient if attacks like this weekend’s can still occur?

Or are even tighter restrictions needed to control and phase out XL Bullies, and keep people safe?