Two women in hospital less than 24 hours apart after 'Cane Corso hounds turned on them during dog fights'

Whilst sitting on the sofa with her Cane Corso dog, the hound attacked the other family pet. She tried to separate the pair but in the process sustained injuries to her face, which required plastic surgery.

The very next day, in a separate incident, officers were called to a property after a Cane Corso dog had attacked the owner, following a fight with an XL Bully. The second woman also needed hospital treatment.

Both Cane Corso dogs have been seized by South Yorkshire Police.

Chief Insp Emma Cheney, force lead on dangerous dogs, said that owners need to be mindful of any changes in their pet’s behaviour.

She added that incidents of animal violence are more common in pets, and urged owners to take action if needed to protect the ones they love.

Cheney said: “We are approaching a time of year where routines may change, children may be off school, dressing up in costumes and you may have more visitors to your home, or planned events.

MORE DOG ATTACKS:

• XL Bully dog confirmed as culprit behind savage mauling of schoolgirl, 12
• Schoolgirl, 12, suffers life-changing injuries after brutal dog mauling
• Teenager feared she would die after being mauled by XL Bully - but disagrees with ban

“It is important as an owner you put measures in place to protect you, your family and your pets.

“Dogs that have experienced stress or anxiety can take a few days to return to their normal behaviour, it is important to be aware of changes in your dog's actions and reflect your routine to keep everyone safe.”

Since February 1, it has been an offence to sell, abandon, give away, breed, or walk an unleashed and unmuzzled XL Bully dog in England and Wales - with Scotland imposing the same legislation on February 23.

Latest figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), more than 55,000 XL Bully dogs are thought to still be on Britain’s streets despite the ban.

According to the banned breeds register, at least 38,424 dogs were granted the £92 exemption to avoid being put down.

Police can seize unregistered prohibited dogs, and their owners face up to six months in jail and/or an unlimited fine.

The breed's attacks have made headlines - earlier this month, a 12-year-old schoolgirl was left with life changing injuries after an XL Bully mauled her, just one example of countless attacks by the breed.