BLOOD-curdling screams were heard as two "XL Bully" dogs mauled a man to death as he tried to protect his elderly mum.

       Neighbours battered the beasts with bins as they attempted to save Ian Price in Stonall, Staffordshire, yesterday afternoon.

       7

       Ian Price was killed by two XL Bully dogs in Staffordshire on Thursday 7

       He was reportedly mauled by these two dogs Credit: Supplied / The Sun 7

       Armed police pictured at the scene of the horror attack in Stonall yesterday Credit: Ryan Underwood

       But the 52-year-old suffered catastrophic injuries and tragically died later in hospital.

       Nursery nurse Amanda Ward said her daughter Amy, 20, heard screams before going to investigate.

       The 55-year-old added: "In the end some brave locals used wheelie bins to separate the dogs from the man and they tied one of the dogs’ legs together.

       "The other dog went back to its flat."

       Read More on XL Bullies

       OUT OF CONTROL Inside scourge of dog attacks as violent XL bully pets sold for just ￡150

       KILLED BY DOGS Tributes to man, 52, after he's mauled to death by two 'XL Bully' dogs

       Another local alleged the hell hounds leapt out of a neighbour's window before jumping through a hedge.

       Do YOU have a story? Get in touch: tom.hussey@thesun.co.uk

       They added: "[They] appeared in the elderly lady’s garden. Her son had gone out to protect her.

       "We think the dogs were at home on their own because there were no cars outside at the time."

       Most read in The Sun

       TANGO AND PASH Strictly couple can't keep hands off each other leaving crew feeling awkward

       POST GONE Kirsty Gallacher deletes Instagram story supporting brother-in-law Brand

       'MY DOLLY' I was 16 when Brand groomed me - I had to punch him to stop sexual assault

       BRAND 'RAPE' CLAIMS Brand accused of rape & sexual assaults by 4 women including one at 16

       Next door neighbour Matt, 43, said Ian was a "lovely guy", adding: "We were both Aston Villa supporters and used to chat over the garden fence.

       "My wife told me about it on the phone. She had called the police when she heard the screams.

       "I’m still in shock at what has happened and I have a lot of anger in me because this should never have happened.

       "It could have been me or my wife or any of us in the village."

       Police today said one of the mutts died after being restrained and the other was put down by a vet.

       Amid the horrific scenes, nearby St Peter's Primary Academy was placed on lockdown, with kids stopped from leaving "for safety reasons".

       A man in his thirties was initially arrested on suspicion of having dogs dangerously out of control before being re-arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

       It comes as Rishi Sunak today said XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year to stop violent attacks.

       Announcing the clampdown, he said in a statement: "It's clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, it's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on."

       Superintendent Tracy Meir, from Staffordshire Police, said: "I would like to offer my condolences to the loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life in this horrendous dog attack.

       READ MORE SUN STORIES

       BULLY ATTACK I live next door to XL Bully dogs that killed man - they have attacked before

       HOT DEAL M&S shoppers go wild for an 85p hot meal - it's tasty & will save on your dinner

       "We are continuing to support them at this incredibly difficult time.

       "Detectives continue to investigate and we have taken statements, viewed CCTV and carried out house-to-house enquiries in the local area but are keen to speak to anyone with information."

       Fatal dog attacks in 2023

       Five people have died in dog attacks this year:

       Natasha Johnston, 28 - killed by a pack of dogs in Surrey in January Alice Stones, 4 - attacked in her back garden in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire in February Wayne Stevens, 51 - mauled by an "out-of-control" dog in Derby in April Jonathan Hogg, 37 - savaged to death by an American XL Bully in Leigh in May Woman in her 70s - mauled to death as she sunbathed in her Warwickshire garden

       7

       Ian Price was described as a 'lovely' man who adored Aston Villa 7

       The attack took place yards from terrified children leaving school Credit: Ryan Underwood 7

       Paramedics said nothing could be done to save Ian after they took him to hospital Credit: PA 7

       Ian, pictured here with England rugby legend Mike Tindall, suffered catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital