A Haslingden woman was “lucky to escape” with her finger intact after an XL Bully attacked her and her dog.

Megan Whitehead was taking her dog for a walk near Winfields Camping Shop, when a rampant XL Bully charged towards her, lunging straight for her pet's throat.

The 32-year-old claims that the dog wasn’t muzzled, had no collar, wasn’t neutered and the owner was nowhere in sight.

After battling with the XL Bully in a bid to get it off her dog, it gripped onto her hand and ripped it open causing severe nerve damage and later scarring all over her hand.

Megan said: “The way it attacked me and my dog, it would have killed somebody. I don’t want this dog out there any longer as it will kill a child.

“It had pure intent, and I am so lucky that it didn’t kill my dog. I have four large scars on my finger, and it is very misshapen, but I am still lucky to have it.

“I came off a heck of a lot luckier than I should have done considering everything that has happened.”

Megan's boxer dog weighs 45kg but was still attackedMegan's boxer dog weighs 45kg but was still attacked (Image: Megan Whitehead)

The dog was placed into a police car after the incident but was handed back to its owner and continues to live near Megan's house.

Since the incident, Megan says police have contacted her several times to inform her that the animal would be seized and taken off the streets but she claims this is yet to happen.

Megan, who works as a carer for her grandad, added: “The dog has not been seized and it is roaming the streets and causing a lot of damage and God forbid if I had my daughter with me or someone else child it would have killed them.

“I have always thought it is not the dog it’s the owners but the way the dog came towards my dog with pure intent I am not so sure anymore.”

Having visited the owner to discuss what had happened to her, Megan says she was met by the owner who laughed at her and has since not returned to the flat.

Megan added: “I was laughed at and told what are you talking about.

"My hand was pouring with blood there was so much blood I couldn’t see the injuries and pain and the adrenaline, and I was still just laughed at basically.”

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Since February 1, 2024, owning the XL Bully breed has become a criminal offence in England and Wales unless owners have an exemption certificate and anyone who owns one of the dogs needs to have the animal neutered and microchipped.

The law came in after a spate of attacks occurring with the dog breed and in some cases, victims were killed as a result.

A spokesperson from Lancashire Police said: “We are aware of this, and enquiries are ongoing to locate the dog.”