A police officer says that breeders are trying to produce the "most muscular, most intimidating dog with the biggest bite strength" after XL Bullies were banned."

Chief inspector Emma Cheney, of South Yorkshire Police, believes that Pocket Bullies - which is a XL Bully with shorter legs - and Cane Corsos have become the new "status dogs" of choice."

She says that breeders are now trying to produce the "most intimidating dog with the biggest bite strength" with studs that are worth over £70,000 and make them more aggressive than XL Bullies. "

This comes after XL Bullies were banned in England and Wales in 2023 and it is now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow the dogs to stray.

Chief Inspector Cheney said: "People buy a cute puppy but when it grows they can't even walk it because it's 10 stone and it drags them down the street."

"Most fatalities are in the home and often it's dogs that are never walked or disciplined or have any of their needs met."

Last year, 1,057 people in the UK were injured by a dog bite while South Yorkshire Police seized 808 'banned and dangerous dogs' - including 494 XL Bullies.

Chief Inspector Cheney said the force now handles five dog-related investigations a day and have shot four of the animal so far this year.

Some believe that police shoot dogs because they aren't properly resourced but Chief Inspector Cheney says other alternatives - such as sprays and tranquilisers - are ineffective or are too slow.

She said: "A lot of the negativity is unfair. All we are doing is protecting the public. "

"I say to campaigners, ‘what do you want us to do? Leave someone to die?"

"You can't put a dog above a human."

"I want to make it unacceptable to own these dogs, particularly if you have children."