Man died of dog bites after attack by XL bullies, inquest hears

A man who was found dead in the garden of a relative’s property died of blunt force trauma from dog bites, an inquest has heard. Nicholas Glass, 33, was found deceased outside a home on Hereford Close in Rednal, Birmingham, in the early hours of August 21. West Midlands Police believe up to four dogs were present around the time he was attacked, with two of the dogs seized by police at the time and the remaining pair found two days later. Tests concluded that two of the dogs were of the XL bully banned breed and neither had a certificate of exemption.

An inquest was opened into the death of Mr Glass, from Chalybeate Close in Rubery, at Birmingham and Solihull Coroners’ Court on Monday morning. Coroner James Bennett said Mr Glass was identified by police at the scene. The inquest, which will look at Mr Glass’s medical cause of death and the events leading up to his death, was adjourned until January 13, 2025 so that the relevant evidence can be obtained, Mr. Bennett said. He added, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the family of Mr Glass.”

In a tribute released through police last month, Mr. Glass’s family said: “In Nicholas, we’ve lost a loving son, brother, and uncle who was adored by all of his family and friends. He was kind-hearted, caring, and compassionate, and he’d do anything for anyone. We are devastated at his loss, and we all miss him desperately.”

The tragic incident has raised concerns about dog attacks and the control of dangerous breeds. With the community mourning the loss of Nicholas Glass, authorities are expected to take a closer look at regulations surrounding dog ownership and the prevention of such tragic events from occurring in the future. The inquest scheduled for early next year will likely shed more light on the circumstances leading to this devastating outcome.

The family’s heartfelt tribute to Mr. Glass highlights the profound impact of his untimely death and serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for stricter enforcement of laws related to dangerous dog breeds. As the investigation progresses, it is hoped that valuable insights will be gained to prevent similar tragedies in the future.