Dogs: American bully XL dogs to be banned

Plans have been announced to ban bully XL dogs

UK Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak has announced the American bully XL dog will be banned in England and Wales.

The announcement has come following a series of cases involving dogs that have attacked and injured people.

From January 1 2024, it will be illegal to buy, sell, abandon, breed from or give away an American Bully XL.

There will also be rules for people who already own one.

Animal charities have warned however that banning specific dog breeds has not helped to reduce the number of dog bite attacks on people in the past 30 years.

What is the American bully XL?

There have been a series of dog attacks in recent months

The breed is said to have started in the US in the late 1980s, when American pit bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers were crossed.

There are four variations: standard, pocket, classic and XL. The XL can weigh more than nine stone (60kg) and is strong enough to overpower an adult.

According the group Bully Watch, the breed first appeared in the UK "around 2014 or 2015", and its numbers grew rapidly during the pandemic.

The American bully XL is not currently considered a specific breed by the Kennel Club, which is a big organisation in the UK that can define dog breeds.

However, the government has now defined it as a "large dog with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for its size. Powerfully built individual".

How will the bully XL be banned?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is introducing a ban on American bully XL dogs after a number of cases where people were attacked and injured by dogs

From 31 December 2023, people won't be allowed to take their bully XL out for a walk without it being on a lead and wearing a muzzle.

They will also need to get their bully XL neutered - which means it can't have any puppies.

Depending on the age of the dog, owners have until different dates next year to get their dog neutered.

Currently banned dogs can be kept by owners if they apply for an exemption. This is basically a licence to own the dog - the owner and the dog will be checked to make sure it's not a danger and that the owner is looking after the dog correctly.

From 1 February owners will need an exemption to own a bully XL dog in England and Wales and it costs £92.50 to apply.

What have people said?

The Dog Control Coalition - including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home - argue more should be done to promote good dog training

Some safety campaigners, and those who represent victims of dog attacks, have been calling for this ban and have welcomed the news.

But many owners are unhappy about it, and insist that if the dogs are trained and looked after properly, they make good pets and are no more dangerous than any other dog.

The Dog Control Coalition - a group of charities - told the BBC that banning specific breeds of dogs doesn't work and the government should focus instead on current dog control rules, and on promoting responsible dog ownership and training.

The coalition includes Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Blue Cross, the Dogs Trust, BVA, the Scottish SPCA, the Kennel Club and Hope Rescue.

The group said in a statement: "Thirty-two years of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which has focused on banning specific types, has coincided with a troubling increase in dog bites... This approach simply isn't working."

The United Kennel Club in the US, where the breed is even more popular, has said that an American bully "makes an excellent family dog" and "is gentle and friendly," but also notes that "dog aggression is characteristic of this breed".