Importing American bully XL dog breed to Isle of Man banned

The breed is set to be banned in the England and Wales in February after a number of fatal attack

A ban on importing the American bully XL dog breed to the Isle of Man is set to be introduced after Tynwald backed the move.

The ban will come into force on 00:01 GMT on Wednesday and follows the UK government's decision to make ownership of the breed illegal from next year.

Environment, Food, and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber said the dog was behind several fatal attacks in the UK.

But the ban would not affect existing bully XLs on the island, she said.

The American bully will be made illegal to own in the England and Wales from 1 February unless owners have successfully applied to register the pets, which must be kept muzzled in public.

Ms Barber said it was important to "close a potential loophole" that could have seen more bully XLs brought to the Isle of Man in the wake of those changes.

Dangerous dog

Tynwald members agreed to amend laws to add the breed, which have been recognised as dangerous in the UK, to a list of dogs that cannot be imported.

Ms Barber said there was "no doubt" the bully XL's "strength and size mean any attacks or bites are more likely to be serious or even fatal".

She told Tynwald there were conflicting views on the breed, and with some maintaining the animals were "inherently dangerous", but others arguing they should be "judged by deed not breed".

Those with bully XLs on the island would not be subject to the same rules as in England and Wales, Ms Barber said.

However, those taking their dogs off the island would need a licence to bring them back, she added.

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