A MUM who was savaged by a poodle as a toddler has defended the American bully breed following a recent attack.

Hannah Ivy Dixon, from Barrow, was attacked by a poodle at the age of three but her passion for dogs only grew stronger and she is now the owner of four American Bullies.

Footage published online of an attack on an 11-year-old girl in Bordesly Green, Birmingham, has sparked Home Secretary Suella Braverman in pushing for a ban on American bully XL dogs, arguing they are a 'clear and lethal danger', particularly to children.

The cabinet minister announced she has commissioned 'urgent advice' on outlawing the dogs after she highlighted the 'appalling' attack on the girl.

She suffered serious injuries to her arm and shoulder, while two other people were also injured after the dog broke free from its collar twice.

"I believe it is absolutely not down to the breed. It’s all on these irresponsible owners," said Mrs Dixon.

"I have children and own four of these beautiful dogs and certainly would not have a breed deemed dangerous around my children after the horrific attack I endured and put them at risk.

"I hate breed shaming. They are such a beautiful breed. I have never ever judge poodles by the action of that one poodle that did that to me."

Mrs Dixon, who is also a hobby breeder, said she believes there should be 'tighter restrictions' with ownership and breeding.

She said: "Dog breeders are just selling the dogs to anybody, and they are not being trained how they should. I feel communication is massively key in a dog's life, right from the start.

"Ban the irresponsible owners, not the breed itself. Put tighter restrictions in place to own any dog rather than stereotyping certain breeds. It’s the people that need banning from owning them, not the dogs themselves."

"They are absolutely fantastic companions and really good with children. I make sure that my children also know the boundaries like they would know with any breed."