Therese Coffey receives death threats over American bully XL ban

Therese Coffey said "there was no knee-jerk reaction" in bringing the ban forward

Former Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has revealed she received death threats following the ban on American bully XL dogs.

From 1 February next year it will be illegal to own one, unless the owner has successfully applied for it to be exempt.

The dogs were added to the banned list in England and Wales after a number of attacks involving the breed.

Ms Coffey, who introduced the new law, said the ban "evokes strong emotions".

The Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal, who stood down from her environment portfolio on 13 November, recently admitted she "nearly died" because of the stress of being a government minister.

"I must admit that I have had several death threats about this legislation and I am conscious that it is driving those strong emotions," she said.

American bully XL dogs will join the UK list of banned dogs, along with the Pit Bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro

From 31 December 2023, it will be against the law to sell, abandon, breed from or give away an American bully XL, or have one in public without a lead or muzzle.

Owners who wish to keep their dogs must apply to the exemption scheme, or they can choose to have their dog euthanised and apply for compensation.

'Big dogs'

The application for registering an animal on the Index for Exempted Dogs is subject to a £92.40 fee and strict rules.

The dog will have to be neutered and microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled at all times in public, kept in a secure place - and the owner must have third party insurance.

Ms Coffey, the Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal, said the approach was "carefully considered" but that "the proportion of attacks by XL bully-type dogs was considerably higher than others".

"They need a certain amount of training to look after such a strong animal," she said. "If we think about an adult XL bully dog, we are talking about something that weighs about 70 kg - these are big dogs."

Ms Coffey continued: "People must have time to rehome and everybody who loves their XL bully should be able to keep it.

"I commend the legislation, which is still passing through the House."

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