The controversial XL bully breed of dog is to be banned, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced.
The breed has been responsible for several attacks over the summer months.
In the most recent, a young girl received 'life-changing' injuries after being savaged by one of the dogs, which can reach nine stone in weight.
A man died following an attack by a bully XL in Walsall on Thursday. And the 11-year-old girl was attacked in Birmingham, last weekend.
Today, Mr Sunak said the dogs would be banned by the end of the year under a law that applies in England, Wales and Scotland.
However, before then research must be carried out to determine the breed and its characteristics.
Earlier this week Jenna Kiddie, an expert from the Dogs Trust, which operates in Denton, said she believed a ban would not work.
Speaking on BBC News, she said: "Dogs Trust and the Dogs Control coalition want to see the existing dog control laws overhauled because they’re currently not fit for purpose.
“I think there are many reasons for us to not agree with going down that banning of the XL Bully approach.
“For starters, any ban would have to be based on what the dog looks like rather than their behaviour and we know that all dogs can bite.
"All dogs can use aggression, we know that there’s lots of risk factors for a dog showing aggression.
“There’s a potential that calling these breeds of dogs dangerous, might imply to the public that other breeds of dogs are safe.”
Announcing the ban, Mr Sunak called the dogs a "danger to communities".
He said: "It’s clear the American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities. I’ve ordered urgent work to define and ban this breed so we can end these violent attacks and keep people safe."
Local walking football group raises £3K for charity
Rise in deaths sparks fears of drugs crisis
Councillor wants people to work together to create a cleaner Tameside
Primary school told it must improve following Ofsted inspection
