This is the shocking moment Londoners ran to escape a “dangerously out of control” XL thug who was going on a rampage before he was shot dead by police.
Four men were rushed to hospital and two people were arrested following the incident in south-west London.
Chaotic CCTV footage has emerged from around the time of the attack, showing a group of people running in terror, closely followed by the gray beast.
One person even climbs onto the roof of a car to escape, and the dog appears to try to do the same, before becoming distracted and running off to chase another person.
At another point, a passing car stops and swerves onto the sidewalk, apparently trying to hit the dog, but misses.
One man even tried to climb onto the roof of a car while waving his jacket to keep the dog at bay.
The dog easily jumped on the hood of the car but became distracted and chased another person.
CCTV footage shows people running away before being followed by the huge gray XL thug.
Some people bravely tried to stop the dog as a car turned onto the sidewalk, apparently aiming for the dog.
Other people can be seen bravely trying to capture the dog, but it continues to run rampant and chase people.
Armed police were called to the incident on March 18 in Battersea at around 10pm.
A second video shows police and ambulance crews descending on the scene, before armed officers shot the dog due to the threat it posed to the public.
In another video posted on social media, a man can be seen hitting the dog with a bicycle helmet while another tries to cover it with a blanket in a desperate attempt to subdue the animal.
Four men were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the horrific attack.
A 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman have also been arrested on suspicion of being the owner or responsible for a dangerously out-of-control dog.
Both have been released on bail pending further investigations.
Social media footage shows the moment an ‘out of control’ XL bully attacked four men as they tried to fend off the animal.
One child can be seen hitting it with a bicycle helmet while another tries to subdue the animal with a blanket.
The four men can be seen trying to subdue the dog as it continues to lunge forward.
The attack took place near a bus stop opposite Battersea Methodist Church on a section of the A3205. There are also several childcare centers in the area, as well as Falconbrook Primary School.
A Met spokeswoman said: “Two people have been arrested after a dog attacked several people in Wandsworth.
‘Police were called shortly after 10pm on Monday 18 March to reports of a dog, described as an XL bully, being dangerously out of control and attacking people in the vicinity of Home Road, SW11.
‘Due to the threat the dog posed to the public, armed officers attended.
‘After assessing the situation, the officers made the difficult decision to destroy the dog and shoot it.
‘Four men, all members of the public, were taken to hospital for treatment for injuries sustained during the dog attack.
‘None of his injuries are life-threatening.
‘Officers subsequently arrested two people, a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, on suspicion of being the owner/person in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog.
‘Both have been released on bail pending further investigations until mid-June.
‘Investigations continue to establish the circumstances of the incident.
‘An examination of the dog will be carried out to establish its specific breed.
“Anyone with information that could assist police should call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC quoting CAD7620/18Mar.”
From February 1, owning the XL Bully breed without an exemption certificate became a criminal offense in England and Wales.
Anyone who owns one of the dogs must have the animal neutered, microchipped and kept muzzled and leashed in public, among other restrictions.
Met Police officers subsequently arrived at the scene near Battersea Park Road at 10pm on Monday.
Four men were later taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the attack.
Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova said on
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the victims injured in the attack and for their full recovery. I am in contact with the police and their investigations are ongoing.
‘New laws have come into effect making it illegal to own an XL American bully dog without an exemption certificate. It is vital that there is strict enforcement to ensure that landlords comply with the legislation.’
It came just weeks after another unmuzzled XL thug launched an “unprovoked” attack on a mother and her two children in Battersea Park last month.
The dog attacked the women and their children, aged one and two, as they entered the playground at Latchmere Recreation Ground, south London, on February 2.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims the unleashed XL bully “launched on the stroller” carrying her one-year-old daughter, knocked it over and bit the child.