By Maisie Olah

BBC News, West Midlands

A man has died after suffering multiple injuries in an attack by two dogs believed to be American bully XLs.

The victim was left in a critical condition after being attacked by the dogs in Stonnall, Staffordshire.

He was taken to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital but later confirmed dead, emergency services said.

A man, 30, from Lichfield has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, said Staffordshire Police.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to ban American bully XL dogs, describing them as a «danger to communities»

Staffordshire Police said it was understood the dogs were bully XLs, but further tests were being carried out to determine their breed.

The attack happened in Main Street, at about 15:15 BST, police said.

Members of the public tried to help the victim and attempted to get the dogs off him.

Meanwhile, children at nearby St Peter’s Primary Academy were stopped from leaving for safety reasons.

One of the dogs was contained outside, while the other was contained in the owner’s flat.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said in March a woman and her dogs were seen being chased by the same two dogs who killed the man.

The resident said the police were called and the owner was given a caution.

Police have said the breed of the animals was still being established.

Local resident David Morrell said he was «totally shocked» that something like this would happen in the village.

«We’re all shocked…in a little village like this you don’t expect it.

«This morning to find out that two dogs have attacked a guy in the street is just totally shocking».

A West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) spokesman said: «Upon arrival we found a man who had sustained multiple life-threatening injuries and was in a critical condition.

«Unfortunately, after arrival at hospital, despite the best efforts it became clear that nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed as deceased.»

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said American bully XL dogs will be banned by the end of the year, after work is done to define the breed.

He said he «shares the nation’s horror» regarding videos of recent dog attacks, including Thursday’s incident which «tragically led to a fatality».

A recent dog attack on an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham sparked the debate about banning certain dog breeds.

The girl and two men were set upon by an American bully XL outside shops in Bordesley Green on 9 September.

Ana Paun, 11, said she had started to run after seeing a dog staring at her when it grabbed her hand and started moving her about.

BBC Verify reported that ten people died because of dog bite injuries in England and Wales last year.

Last year, there were nearly 22,000 cases of out-of-control dogs causing injury. In 2018, there were just over 16,000, a BBC investigation found.

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