Aggressive American XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year, Rishi Sunak has announced.

The PM said the breed will be outlawed under the Dangerous Dogs Act following a spate of terrifying attacks.

He said he shared the nation’s “horror” at several videos showing vicious maulings in recent days, including of children.

One man died yesterday in Walsall, Staffordshire, after being set upon outside a primary school.

Mr Sunak said: “It’s clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, it’s a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.”

He has ordered officials to work on defining the dangerous breed so it can be banned under the existing Dangerous Dogs Act.

Vowing to bring in new laws by the end of the year, he promised to work “fast” to protect the public.

The PM said in a video posted on X/Twitter: “These dogs are dangerous and I want to reassure the public we will take all the necessary steps to keep them safe.”

It is not known whether existing dog owners will be able to keep their bullies.