Rishi Sunak has announced a ban on American XL bully dogs from December 31 after the breed was linked to a number of violent attacks.
From February 1, 2024 , under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it will become illegal to own an XL Bully if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
Owners must have a certificate of exemption from that date, otherwise they could face a criminal record, an unlimited fine, and their dog could be seized.
All XL bullies must also be kept on a lead and muzzled in public from December 31.
A government statement read on Tuesday: "Owners who wish to keep their dogs will have until the end of January to register them and will be forced to comply with strict requirements. As well as being muzzled and kept on a lead in public, these dogs must also be microchipped and neutered."
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey added: "We are taking quick and decisive action to protect the public from tragic dog attacks and today I have added the XL Bully type to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
"It will soon become a criminal offence to breed, sell, advertise, rehome or abandon an XL Bully type dog, and they must also be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. In due course it will also be illegal to own one of these dogs without an exemption. We will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, as we take forward these important measures."
The government also said that owners may choose to have their dog put to sleep by a vet, with compensation provided to help with these costs.
The dogs have made headlines in recent months for several incidents involving humans and other animals, and now there has been another incident involving the controversial breed.
Last month, a baby boy was rushed to hospital after being savaged by a large XL bully dog outside a London hotel.
The one-year-old suffered injuries in the dog attack outside the Hilton Double Tree hotel, in Greenwich.
Speaking on September 15, the prime minister said he “shared the nation's horror” at the stories involving the XL bully, adding that it was “a pattern of behaviour” that “cannot go on”.
As the Government finalises the ban, here is a look at the genetic background of American XL bully dogs, and when they came to the UK.
What is an American bully XL?
The American bullies are thought to have been around since the late 1980s, when American Staffordshire terriers and pitbull terriers were crossed. Over time, they have been crossed with a number of other breeds to create an even more muscular dog.
There are four types of American bullies: standard, pocket, classic and XL.
Are American bullies dangerous?
Over the years American bullies have been involved in several devastating attacks.
Talking to BBC News, an NHS consultant surgeon, Richard Baker, said they have “such powerful jaws” that “the wounds are worse compared to other breeds”.
He explained: “In [American bullies] it’s a crushing or a tearing injury. Once they grip, they don’t let go. That kind of injury is more damaging than smaller dogs.”
Baker went on to say that American bullies break bones, shred skin and damage nerves. “If the nerves are damaged and can’t be repaired, which is often the case if it’s ripped out, it is common to form a source of ongoing pain,” he added.
What other breeds are banned in the UK?
Thus far, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has banned four dog breeds: the American pitbull terrier, the Japanese tosa, the Dogo Argentinos and the Fila Brasileiro.
The act gives the Government the right to ban any breeds that appear to be “bred for fighting or to have the characteristics of a type bred for that purpose”. However, as the breed is not specifically recognised by the Kennel Club and the breed is difficult to specifically define given its complex cross-breeding, some dog owners are worried that the ban would end up outlawing other breeds too.
Several, including Battersea, the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, have come together to create the Dog Control Coalition, which asserts that breed-specific bans are ineffective.
It said: “Thirty-two years of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which has focused on banning specific types, has coincided with a troubling increase in dog bites and fatalities. This approach simply isn’t working.”
However, Mr Baker, who has dealt with the aftermath of dog attacks, has a different view.
“I can’t see any reason why a responsible person would want to own a dog that is bred for violence,” he said. “Nobody needs a vicious, dangerous animal.”
How many XL Bullies are in the UK?
XL bullies increased in popularity during the COVID lockdown of 2020-2021.
However, the breed is not a registered breed with the UK Kennel Club, the official kennel club in the UK and the oldest recognised kennel club in the world – so it is unknown how many dogs or breeders there are in the UK.
What does the ban mean for dog owners?
The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 makes it illegal for anyone to possess or have custody of a dog that is of a breed that was bred for combat.
If someone owns a banned dog, the police or the local council can take the dog away from you. However, the police may need permission to do this if your dog is in a private place.
Your dog's breed and potential risk to the public will be determined by a police or council dog expert. Afterwards, your dog will either be released or kept in a kennel while the police apply to a court.
You will not be allowed to visit your dog while a decision is being made.
