Police in the East reassure public XL Bully ban will be enforced
Strict new rules around XL Bullies are now in force
Last updated 1st Feb 2024
People in the East are being reassured there will be no trouble enforcing a ban on XL Bullies.
New regulations for XL Bully dogs come into effect from today following a surge in high-profile fatal attacks.
The new law includes compulsory registering XL Bully dogs and sit alongside rules from the end of December which means XL Bullies have to be muzzled and on a lead when out walking.
Owners that don't comply could face criminal charges and fines.
Peter Madden is a dangerous dogs adviser working with Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Police.
He tells us how the ban will be enforced:
"That might mean getting some pictures of the dog and sending them through to myself or a colleague; it would be a case of getting a warrant to seize the dog and once the dog is seized, police would examine the dog to determine if the dog was indeed prohibited," he said.
"I suspect we will see more of those dogs (XL Bullies) than we have seen of pitbull-type dogs.
"If a dog comes to the notice of police and is suspected of being an XL Bully or any other type of prohibited dog, then we will deal with as we have done in years gone by.
Mr Madden said police could face challenges with enforcing the ban, but are used to dealing with this type of law.
"Police will enforce the ban; police nationally have been training their dog legislation officers over the last couple of months, so that they are qualified and ready to identify XL Bullies," he added.
Have a listen to our short program XL Bully Ban: A complete guide to the new rules to find out everything you need to know about the new rules and what they mean for owners.
So what are the new rules for XL Bully dogs from the 1st Feb?
From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless it is registered for a Certificate of Exemption.
Owners also need to make sure they're complying with rules around breeding, selling, walking and micro-chipping XL Bully dogs.
Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in legal repercussions, including criminal charges and fines.
What were the other new rules brought in for XL Bully dogs?
Since December 31st, XL Bullies must be leashed and muzzled in public with prohibitions on breeding and other activities involving the breed.
On 31 December 2023 it became an offence to:
- sell an XL Bully dog
- abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
- give away an XL Bully dog
- breed from an XL Bully dog
- have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle
XL Bully dogs must also be kept in secure places so they can't escape.
How do you know if a dog falls under the classification of XL Bully?
Owners can compare their dog's physical characteristics to provided guidance and photo examples to ascertain its breed classification.
The government has phased in regulations for XL Bully dogs, including their addition to the Dangerous Dogs Act, leading to a complete ban on the breed.
What happens to XL Bullies which cannot meet the new requirements?
Owners who choose not to keep their XL Bullies are advised to have them euthanized by a vet.
XL Bully dogs can not be rehomed under the new legislation, so will have to be euthanized, owners can claim £200 compensation towards the cost of this, but you only have until the 15th March to apply for that money.
Criticism of the new XL Bully rules
The move has been met with disappointment and criticism from owners and campaign groups who think the new rules go too far.
On a fundraising page set up by Licence Me Group, supporting XL Bully owners, they said:
"Our dogs are bred to be loving companions, the XL Bully has been wrongfully blamed for many recent attacks by the media and government.
"Since the Dangerous Dogs Act came into place in 1991, dog attacks have risen, not reduced, and since 1999 and 2019 dog attacks have risen by 154%.
"There are many factors to blame here, but we cannot blame and cull an entire ‘type’
"We, as bully owners of the UK, demand change, demand fair and effective laws that keep people and dogs safe, demand that no dog be damned because of how they look!"
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:
"The Prime Minister pledged to take quick and decisive action to protect the public from devastating dog attacks with measures in place by the end of 2023.
"We have met that pledge - it is now a legal requirement for XL Bully dogs to be muzzled and on a lead in public. It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray."
"All XL Bully owners are expected to comply with the law and we will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, with further restrictions on XL Bully dogs coming into force on 1 February."