The owner of a puppy who spent days in intensive care after it was mauled by an American XL bully dog said he hoped for more “prompt and firm action” on a ban.

Months after his his border collie, Max, was mauled and bitten by two dogs believed to be XL bullies, Cricklewood dog owner Mehdi says he is still “extremely worried” whenever he takes the young dog out for a walk.

Mehdi said he hoped for more “prompt and firm action” after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced American XL bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year.

The pledge came after a man died after being attacked last Thursday (September 14) by two dogs – suspected to be bully XLs – in Staffordshire. It was the latest in a series of attacks.

Following the announcement, Mehdi, who did not want to give his surname, recalled when Max, then four months old, was left with a broken rib and collapsed lung after a viscious attack by an XL bully in April.

Ham & High: A screengrab of a video during the incident in Gladstone ParkA screengrab of a video during the incident in Gladstone Park (Image: Handout)

Max, who regularly is taken for walks in Hampstead Heath and Gladstone Park, is described as a “friendly” dog who loves to approach and play with other pups during his leisure time.

But two XL bullies ganged up on Max during a walk in Gladstone Park on April 17 this year at 6.30pm.

Mehdi said that “in a matter of seconds” the two dogs bit and mauled Max.

He said: “And then he [the other owner] lost control of one of the dogs, the leash was on the ground and he fell over.

“He couldn’t restrain his own dog and it was biting Max on the chest and the groin area.”

Ham & High: Max the dogMax the dog (Image: Handout)

Panicked after seeing blood, Mehdi and a stranger passing by tried to pull the attacking dog away and was forced to kick it in hope the dog would budge.

But it was not until the other owner bit the dog on its ear that the attack stopped.

“He was completely covered in blood and my T-shirt was drenched in blood. He was crying and he couldn’t breathe properly,” said Medhi.

In a video capturing the incident, the bully owner was heard yelling: “It’s your f***ing fault.”

Ham & High: Max the dog after the attackMax the dog after the attack (Image: GoFundMe)

Months following the brutal attack, Mehdi said: “Max is extremely lucky to have now fully recovered, many other dogs that were attacked have not survived their injuries.

“He was still a very young puppy when that happened and it seems that he's forgotten about it but we are extremely worried when we walk him.”

The dog owner said he has since purchased an extra large collar to cover his neck as well as a “tough military grade dog vest” to protect his vital areas. He also carries dog repellent at all times in fear of another attack.

“We shouldn’t have to worry so much,” he stated.

While Mehdi said Mr Sunak’s announcement was promising, he said: “I hope the new legislation will cover any loopholes concerning the breed, I see many Pitbull owners advising each other to claim their dog is a ‘Staffie’ or Labrador mix and their word is taken at face value.

“More importantly, I think there should be a ban on creating new breeds from unlicensed greedy backyard breeders as they will again mix two powerful breeds give it a new name and it will be 100 per cent legal.”

Ham & High: Max the dog before the injuryMax the dog before the injury (Image: Handout)

He continued: “I am saddened to see that so many people think ‘it is the owner, not the breed’. This is an unfounded argument as the common thread with all these horrific attacks is the breed, the owners are diverse and from all types of background, including the upper echelons of society.

“Pitbulls and bullies were created to be fighting dogs, they were selected to be relentless and hyper-aggressive, not to be obedient and calm.”

The Brent & Kilburn Times also reported on another XL bully dog attack in Gladstone Park, as owner Simon Stephenson said his bichon frisé Snowy was attacked by a dog who did not have a muzzle or leash on January 6.

Ham & High: Snowy the dog was brutally attacked in Gladstone Park, months before a similar attack Snowy the dog was brutally attacked in Gladstone Park, months before a similar attack (Image: Handout)

In a video posted on social media last week, the Conservative leader Mr Sunak said: “We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.

“These dogs are dangerous, I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe.”