Moment police open fire on 'out of control' XL Bully which attacked passers-by and left a woman injured

 WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT  XL Bullys have been illegal to own in England and Wales since January 31, 2024 Did YOU witness what happened? Email [email protected]

This is the moment armed police shot an out of control XL Bully, who attacked passers-by and injured at least one woman in Greater Manchester on Friday night.

Video footage captured officers armed with guns chasing the dog, which was seen running out onto the road having reportedly attacked several members of the public.

Police were shown firing shots at the unruly animal while pursuing it down Gladstone Road in Eccles, Salford.

One member of the public, dressed in a grey top and jeans, is seen pleading with officers to not kill the dog.

They were unable to safely recapture the XL Bully - which is now a banned breed in the UK.

One resident who heard the gunshots said: 'I didn't know what was going on. I counted six shots. I didn't think something like that would happen around here.'

Video footage captured the moment armed officers opened fire on an 'out of control' XL Bully dog in Greater Manchester

Armed police were forced to shoot a 'dangerously out-of-control' dog, which attacked and injured at least one woman in Gladstone Road in Eccles, Salford, on Friday night

Despite efforts by police, they were unable to safely recapture the dog involved in the incident last night in Eccles, Salford - which is now a banned breed in the UK

Armed officers were called out to the Gladstone Road 'due to the risk and harm it was causing', before it was 'destroyed at the scene as the last possible option'

Armed officers were called out to the residential road 'due to the risk and harm it was causing', before it was 'destroyed at the scene as the last possible option.'

Following the incident, two men were arrested and detained after confronting officers.

A woman who was injured by the animal is continuing to receive treatment for her injuries.

XL Bullys, which are the largest type of American bulldog, have been illegal to own in England and Wales since January 31 without an exemption, following a slew of fatal attacks across the UK.

The powerful breed has distinctive features, including an average 20-inch height, broad shoulders, a bulky head and nine-stone weight.

New laws on owning the breed were introduced following a wave of fatal attacks linked to XL Bully-type animals, including Ian Price who was killed in Stonnall, Staffordshire, in September 2023, and Ian Langley, who died in Sunderland in October 2023.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: 'At around 9pm tonight on Gladstone Road in Eccles we were called to several reports of a dog dangerously out of control that was subsequently attacking the public and injured a woman in the process.

XL Bullys, which are the largest type of American bulldog, have been illegal to own in England and Wales since January 31 without an exemption, following a slew of fatal attacks across the UK (stock image)

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'Initially, both local officers and the public were unable to regain control of the dog.

'Specialised officers were deployed and tried to safely secure the XL Bully but were unsuccessful.

'This meant unfortunately due to the risk and harm it was causing as a banned breed it was destroyed at the scene as the last possible option.

'Two men were later arrested and detained after confronting officers. The woman victim is still receiving treatment for her injuries.

'We understand the concern this incident will raise within the community but our officers have a duty to act in challenging situations on a regular basis with the aim of keeping everyone safe.'

MailOnline has contacted Greater Manchester Police and the North West Ambulance Service for comment.