By the end of 2023, owning, breeding, or selling XL Bully dogs will become illegal under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. This decision follows a series of incidents involving XL Bully dogs, including a brutal attack on an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham and a fatal encounter in Staffordshire.
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Police can confiscate and euthanise dogs matching the breed's physical characteristics unless owners apply for court exemptions. In public spaces, dogs can be seized without a warrant, but a warrant is necessary in private areas.
Dogs must also be microchipped and neutered, often requiring muzzles in public. Anyone caught violating the ban can face severe penalties, including unlimited fines, up to six months in prison, and their dog put down.
Reassurance for Bully owners
For XL Bully owners, there is some good news. Owners can apply to have their dog exempt by demonstrating their dog's non-threatening nature and their fitness as the dog's owner. There will also not be a cull of XL Bully dogs. According to a chief veterinary officer, there will instead be an amnesty, allowing responsible owners to register their pets and adhere to strict conditions like muzzles and insurance.
Though the ban may take time to implement, the government says that it will try to strike a balance between safety and safeguarding people's pets. This reassurance may ease some pet owners' concerns about their dogs' fate in light of the impending ban.
