Owners shocked as dogs seized for XL bully checks

Police returned Ralph to his owners after confirming he was an American bulldog

Two dog owners whose pets were confiscated by police checking for banned breeds have criticised the process around them being taken away.

Natasha Goodall and her partner Jordan Williams, from Swansea, said the moment their American bulldog Ralph was seized was like having a "child ripped away" from them before police confirmed he was not an XL bully.

The couple, and another dog owner from Newport, have called for more time to be given to help people prepare for the seizure of their pet, and for checks to be conducted at owners' homes.

South Wales Police said such measures were put in place to "enhance public safety" and reduce the XL bully population over time.

The XL bully ban was introduced in Wales and England on 1 February 2024 following a number of attacks involving the dogs.

In both countries, it is now a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate, while similar restrictions exist in Ireland and Scotland.

In Swansea, a warrant was issued authorising police to search Ms Goodall and Mr Williams' home for a white "pitbull type dog".

The 28-year-old said she was in "shock" when the police came to her house in Clydach after officers received reports of a potential unexempt XL Bully at the address.

"They brought eight or nine officers along just to take him away. It was terrifying," she said.

Dogs are measured by police to determine whether they fit the size specifications for XL bullies, which are not recognised as a specific breed.

Ms Goodall has called for police to take the measurements at the pet's home, adding: "It would have saved all the upset and stress."

The pet owner said police forces need to be "more educated about the breeds".

She would also like owners, and their families, to be given more time to prepare for the seizure of their pets.

"At least you have chance to process it then. It is like ripping one of your children away from you," she said.

Ms Goodall says her two children love Ralph and have never had an issue with the dog

Ralph's owners received confirmation that he was an American bulldog four days after he was confiscated.

Mr Williams, 31, said he was left an emotional wreck by the seizure and described Ralph, who does not have a violent history, as "like a child" to him.

The couple said he was "so excited" to come home and thanked the kennel for looking after him "extremely well".

But they plan to file a complaint as they are unhappy about the way he was taken away.

A warrant was issued after reports of an XL Bully living at the property

Anthony Webb, from Newport, had his two dogs, Lexi and Major, seized last October.

Both were described as having characteristics of an XL bully in a police warrant before they were checked and returned 12 days later.

Mr Webb claimed it was "distressing" waiting for updates about the dogs from Gwent Police.

"They took them and then we were asking for updates on regular occasions, and we weren't being given any updates. Which was quite distressing really because they are our family pets," he said.

"We kept on calling pretty much every other day, through phone, through email. Eventually we were told they would be being returned. We were given 24 hours' notice and they were returned after 12 days."

A spokesperson for Gwent Police said the dogs were seized following a report they were believed to be a banned breed, before being returned to their owner.

"A Gwent Police complaint handler spoke with the complainant where communication concerns during the investigation were discussed. The complaint was logged in line with statutory guidance," they said.

"I tend not to take them out for walks as much as they deserve to go out now," Mr Webb added.

"I can't undo the past but all I can say is that I'm happy that our ordeal didn't drag on."

Anthony Webb's dogs were seized last year after being deemed to be dangerous

Anthony Webb said it was difficult when his dogs were returned home

Martin Winfield, 63, is an animal trainer based in Caerphilly.

He said "public safety must come first" when determining the breed of a large dog that has the capability to do harm.

"Some are bred specifically for their guarding and protection capabilities. With this comes great responsibilities, not just the care and welfare of the dog, but also the training and management," he said.

That responsibility is not necessarily just on the owner but those who are "breeding and supplying" the dogs, according to Mr Winfield.

"If you own a dog that has the potential to do serious harm to a family, then it is the right thing to take that dog to a behaviourist to be assessed," he said.

"Good genetics are everything."

Mr Winfield says some dogs that are bred for guarding can be like a "bomb" waiting to explode

He referenced a goldendoodle currently in his care as an example of how a dog's characteristics can be shaped by their genetics.

"She's absolutely lovely, but she's been genetically engineered that way," he said.

There could be "mistakes made", including human error, by "selecting the wrong dog", he added.

"But something needs to be done."

Mr Winfield said focus needs to be on "trying to educate people" before they get these dogs.

He said: "We don't need to be too focused on punishing the people that have got them already."

Veterinary expert Mike Jessop said all dogs "undergo socialisation", but larger dogs can be more volatile.

"The XL bully started to cause concern in pet ownership and dog ownership, and that is a cross of four different dogs, including the American Pit Bull Terrier," he said.

"If they fit 80% of the criteria, then in law, they became an American Pit Bull Terrier in the UK, and were therefore banned."

Mr Jessop, 64, said the problem is, due to their genetics, such breeds are more likely to be "triggered into an attack mode" than the average dog.

He said there is a "concern" holding kennels can be detrimental to the health and welfare of the dog.

"That's an inevitable downside of this legislation, and also why the police would not seize any dog," he said.

Mr Jessop said there were an "awful lot" of skilled officers who understand dogs and said he expected any warranted action to have one of them on the team.

Mr Jessop believes there are lots of skilled officers trained to deal with situations

Mr Jessop said he thought Ralph's physique would mean he was "of interest" to police.

"I would say there was a high index of suspicion that it did fit that criteria of a banned breed. I could understand why that dog was of interest to them," he added.

Which other breeds are banned in the UK?

There are five banned dog breeds in the UK including the XL bully:

• American pit bull terrier

• Japanese tosa

• Dogo Argentinos

• Fila Brazileiro

According to NHS Wales, there were 614 admissions caused by someone being bitten or struck by a dog in 2023-24, compared with 765 the year before.

The XL bully ban has also had an impact on police resources with kennelling costs and veterinary bills contributing to an expected £25m being spent by April this year.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said the ban has placed a "huge burden" on forces.

In a statement, South Wales Police said seized dogs are "transported to secure kennelling sites" where specially trained officers will assess the dog.

It added XL bullies "must be registered, microchipped, neutered and kept muzzled and on a lead in public and have third party insurance with The Dogs Trust".

Since last February, the force said it had identified "over 1,500 addresses in the area as being suspected of owning an XL bully".