WHY IS THE AMERICAN XL BULLY BEING BANNED?

IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES

Rules restricting ownership of American XL Bully dogs are now in force in England, Wales and Scotland.

WHAT IS AN AMERICAN XL BULLY?

An XL bully is the largest kind of American bully dog. Other types include standard, pocket and classic. The UK Government published guidance to help identify XL Bullies, which are not recognised as a specific breed.

The guidance describes them as "large dogs with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for [their] size". Male XL dogs stand at least 51cm high at the shoulder, with female XLs only slightly smaller. Dogs in England, Scotland and Wales will be considered XLs if they meet the minimum height and possess some of a defined set of characteristics.

HOW DOES THE AMERICAN XL BULLY BAN WORK IN ENGLAND AND WALES?

Ownership of American XL Bully dogs is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Since December 31st 2023, it has been against the law in these countries to sell, give away, abandon or breed from an XL Bully, and since February 1st this year, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate. The government received more than 60,000 applications for exemption in advance of the deadline. Today, police can seize unregistered, prohibited dogs, and their owners face a criminal record and unlimited fine.

WHAT DO OWNERS OF EXEMPT XL BULLIES HAVE TO DO?

Owners in England and Wales who applied for an exemption had to buy insurance, microchip their dog and pay a £92.40 fee per animal.

Registered dogs have to be housed securely, kept on a lead, and muzzled in public.

Older dogs must also be neutered by June 30th or by the end of 2024 for dogs under the age of one.

Owners in England and Wales can no longer apply to exempt an XL Bully.

Anyone choosing not to keep their XL Bully had to take it to a registered vet to be euthanised by January 31st 2024.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR AMERICAN XL BULLIES IN SCOTLAND?

Since February 23rd, American XL Bullies have had to be muzzled and kept on a lead in public in Scotland. It is illegal to abandon, rehome, sell, buy, or transfer ownership of an XL Bully in the country. Anyone who breaks the rules risks up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £5000 (approximately R100,000).

Owners who wish to keep their dogs will need to have - or have applied for - an exemption certificate by July 31st 2024.

The requirements for exempt XL Bully owners in Scotland are expected to mirror those in England and Wales.

There was an influx of dogs being rehomed to Scotland before the England and Wales bans took effect.

WHAT IS THE BASIS OF THE BAN?

There are no official statistics on attacks by individual dog breeds in the UK. When it announced the XL bully ban in England and Wales in late 2023, the government said 23 deaths had been caused by dog attacks since the start of 2021, "with the XL bully being disproportionately involved".

WHY DO SOME UK CHARITIES OPPOSE THE AMERICAN XL

According to the Dog Control Coalition, breed-specific bans do not work and are unfair to responsible dog owners and their pets.

The body includes Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club, the RSPCA and the British Veterinary Association.

The group wants an overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act, including tougher penalties for owners who fail to control their dogs.