On the 31st of October the UK government announced an impending ban on XL Bully dogs.
This followed an increase in incidents involving the breed, which has resulted in their addition to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The list of banned breeds will now include the Pit Bull Terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino, the Fila Brasileiro and the American XL Bully.
What is an American XL Bully?
The government has released their official definition of the breed, describing the XL Bully as a dog of great power for their size, with a glossy and close coat. They will also have a heavy, large and broad head and a blocky or squared muzzle. Male dogs will range in height from 51cm at the withers, and 48cm for females.
Establishing whether a dog classifies will involve dog wardens and authorities checking the dog's physical characteristics against the criteria listed on the government website.
When does the ban start?
The ban will come into effect in three stages.
Following the government's announcement of the ban, applications to register for exemption first opened on the 31st of October.
From the 31st of December, it will be illegal to exchange, gift, re-home, abandon, sell or advertise an XL Bully. After this date there will not be the option to own an XL Bully that isn't registered and included on the exemption list.
From the 1st of February, owners of the breed will need to follow specific rules. Neutering will be compulsory by the 30th of June 2024 for dogs over a year old, and by the 31st of December 2024 for dogs under a year old by January 2024.
How to apply for a certificate of exemption
To include your dog on the index of exempted dogs, you will need to apply for a certificate. There is a form available on the government website, which must be submitted online by the 31st of January, or by the 15th of January by post.
To be successful, you will need to conform to a series of rules and regulations.
What does the XL Bully ban mean for owners and their dogs?
In order to obtain an exemption certificate, owners will be required to walk their dogs on lead and muzzled at all times when in public. They will also have to take out insurance to protect against the dog injuring other people
The dog must be microchipped and neutered.
Introducing your dog to wearing a muzzle in public should begin at home, as a gradual process that develops over time. Offering lots of positive reinforcement can help build the right association, making your dog more comfortable in the long run.
For many owners and their dogs, the ban means a limitation to the freedom they have enjoyed to date.
What are the ban rules in the UK?
The ban will have a huge impact on the breed, as it not only affects owners, but rescue groups as well. As it will be illegal to re-home the breed from the 1st of December, UK shelters will find themselves in a very difficult position when XL Bully dogs are brought in.
Owners who fail to comply with the requirements of the ban could face an unlimited fine, a criminal record, and their dog could be seized.
Should I report an XL Bully?
If an XL Bully is not muzzled and is off-lead from the 31st of December onwards, they can be reported.
Irrespective of their breed, if you are concerned about a dog that seems dangerous or aggressive, you can report this to your local authority or dog warden.
Is there an XL Bully ban petition in the UK?
There is currently a petition against the XL Bully ban in the UK, which has over 607,000 signatures to date.
The creator of the petition, called Bad Owners Are To Blame, Not The Breed explains that the XL Bully "is a Heinz 57, a mixture of different breeds, meaning the ban could have implications for cross breeds of dogs because nobody is sure on the breed specifics".
There is also an official XL Bully ban fundraiser in the UK, known as Don't Ban Me - Licence Me. The campaign group is working to raise funds to potentially challenge the ban with a judicial review.
Does the XL Bully ban exist in Scotland?
The XL Bully ban does not currently exist in Scotland, with Scottish ministers arguing the blanket ban is premature. Scotland will continue to use dog control notices (DCNs) which puts the focus on owners who have allowed their dog to be out of control in public.
While it may not be coming into effect in Scotland, the ban will be moving ahead for anyone resident in England or Wales. If you share your life with an XL Bully, or know someone who does, it's essential to start putting steps in place now, to ensure you are compliant with the upcoming regulations.
