Matt Fiddes calls for ban on XL bully dogs after Birmingham attack

Being the former bodyguard to pop star Michael Jackson while also founding the largest martial arts school in the UK, Matt is no stranger to a scrap.

His comments come after one of the animals attacked three people over the weekend.

Phone footage from Birmingham of the pet biting an 11-year-old girl and two men who then tried to help the child went viral on social media.

Matt, who has a black belt in taekwondo, kickboxing and kung-fu, believes the breed of dog are impossible to fight off.

Matt has given advice on dealing with the dogs. (Image: Matt Fiddes)

"The trouble with a breed like that is that honestly, even if you're Bruce Lee, you're screwed,” he said.

''If you're fighting them with your bare hands, you lose.

"They're so tenacious, they'll fight you like a tiger.

''Your only option is to run or to call for help. It's not worth the risk going anywhere near them.

"If you ever are confronted by one of them and you cannot escape, you can try and fight the animal with items in your surroundings.”

One of the dogs was recently involved in an attack in Birmingham. (Image: Getty)

The 44-year-old has joined calls for a ban on the American Bully XL dogs and thinks that people's best option is to stay away from the animal.

"Sometimes even larger animals like this get scared off if you actually fight back, you can use objects like a table to block it, or a chair, or even a handbag,” said Matt.

"The best option though is to maintain self-awareness as you've got to be aware of your surroundings, recognize a danger well in advance and avoid it.

"That is always the best option for other threats, whether it's a gun, a knife or just someone acting strangely on a train - you should just avoid the situation.”

The clear dangers are there according to the multimillionaire with him suggesting that the breed could even rip a child’s arms off their body.

Matt has a black belt in taekwondo, kickboxing and kung-fu. (Image: Matt Fiddes)

"The kids we teach at my martial arts school are taught to be aware of their surroundings,” said Matt.

''If you see these animals, or someone suspicious, you should get out of their way.

"The real danger here though is that little kids just don't understand this.

''They see a dog and want to pet it - but this breed can go from fine, to attacking you in seconds.

"My four year old wants to stroke everything - but it takes just one second for the animal to switch and tear your arms off."

Matt was born in Swindon and is a multimillionaire. (Image: Matt Fiddes)

Matt believes that the breed and other dangerous dogs should be treated like wild animals under law.

"Since the lockdown it just seems like the latest status symbol,” he said.

''Men want to own these dangerous dogs, the latest bulldog, as an ego trip.

"When I was younger it was all about Pitbulls, this is just the latest in a long line of dangerous breeds that we should ban.

"Owners have responsibility to make sure these animals do not attack people.

Matt was formerly the bodyguard of pop sensation Michael Jackson. (Image: Matt Fiddes)

''The Government desperately needs to change the rules to protect people from these breeds."

South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland has also spoken out against the breed of dogs after the devasting Birmingham attack.

“I am deeply concerned by the rise of attacks on people, pets and livestock by XL Bully dogs,” he said.

"The government should take action and ban these dogs.

"We have banned specific breeds of dog in this country since the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 came into force.”