A FIVE year-old-boy is in hospital after being mauled in the head by an "XL Bully-type" dog. He was savaged at a home in Hull on Monday before cops stormed in and seized the hellhound . Humberside Police said inquiries into the 11.

45am incident on Brazil Street are ongoing. Det Ch Insp Allison Sweeting said: “We are working closely with the boy’s family and the owner of the dog to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident . After eleven horrific attacks in 1991, Home Secretary Kenneth Baker promised "to rid the country of the menace of these fighting dogs" by introducing the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The law is often considered controversial as it focuses on a dog's breed or looks instead of an individual dog's behaviour, and fails to stem the rise of dog attacks. According to the RSPCA , over a third of the people killed by dogs since the act was brought in were attacked by legal breeds. “At this stage, the breed of dog is believed to be an XL Bully-Type and it has been seized as part of our inquiries.

” Since February 1 it has been illegal to own, breed, sell , exchange, gift or rehome an XL Bully in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption. The breed was outlawed after it was accused of being behind the deaths of 11 people in the three years. The hound was also alleged to have mauled many others .

All XL Bullies must be registered and they must have a muzzle on if they're out in public. Owners and their dogs now face strict punishments without a ce.