Dogs That Fatally Attacked SoCal Owner Banned In Other Countries: What To Know

SAN DIEGO, CA — The dogs that fatally mauled their owner last week in San Diego are believed to be XL bullies, a kind of dog that has been banned in other countries.

Pedro Ortega, 26, and his son were walking their three dogs Friday at Mesa Viking Neighborhood Park in San Diego's Mira Mesa neighborhood when the dogs attacked him for unknown reasons, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. Ortega was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where he was pronounced dead.

A second person who suffered serious bite injuries while trying to help Ortega, was taken to a hospital and was recovering, according to San Diego Humane Society, which assisted the San Diego Police Department.

All three dogs were euthanized Saturday with the consent of Ortega's family, according to Nina Thompson, a spokesperson for San Diego Humane Society.

A second owner told officials that the dogs had been purchased as XL bully breeds, which are known for their size and strength.

There was no previous history involving these dogs in San Diego Humane Society's records, the organization confirmed.

XL bullies are not officially recognized as their own breed, but are the largest kind of the standard American bully, according to the National Kennel Club.

"Important to note that the XL Bully variety is simply taller than the standard American bully," according to the National Kennel Club's website. "XL bully dogs share the same build, body type, and breed type as the standard American bully, and are expected to carry a heavily muscled, massive, bulky body type."

It is illegal to sell, rehome, abandon or breed an XL bully in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Strict rules about owning the dogs are already in place in England and Wales, and will take full effect in Northern Ireland and Scotland by the end of the year, according to the BBC.

Starting in February 2024, it became a criminal offense in both England and Wales to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate. Owners that applied for an exemption had to buy insurance, microchip their dog, neuter their dog, and pay an annual fee. Registered dogs have to be leashed and muzzled while in public.

The de facto ban on the XL bully stemmed from outcry in the United Kingdom following a spike in fatal attacks, including one high-profile attack caught on camera.

Prior to 2021, there were only about three deadly dog attacks per year in the United Kingdom. Since then, there have been at least 23 fatal dog attacks, many involving XL bullies, according to BBC News.