XL Bully rules come into force
We've been speaking to an Oldham dog trainer, as new rules come in today
Last updated 31st Dec 2023
XL bully dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public under new restrictions, amid fears among animal welfare groups that a looming ban on the breed will overwhelm vets and rescue centres.
Breeding, selling or abandoning the dogs has also become illegal as of today (31 December), with owners being urged to apply for a certificate of exemption for current pets before the January 31 deadline.
From February 1, it will be criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a certificate.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said the Government had met its pledge to take "quick and decisive action" following a series of attacks, with one man dying after being savaged by one of the dogs earlier this year.
But the RSPCA said the measures were "not the answer" and warned of a "huge risk" that rescue centres and vets will be unable to cope with a likely surge in demand.
We've been hearing from Oldham dog trainer, Niall Barnes who tells us everyone can play a role in the transition. He said: "Three or four owners that I'm working with now are doing everything right by the dog, but they're finding it so difficult because they're riddled by fear because they don't know what's going to happen, there hasn't been enough communication.
"Those people that aren't affected can help those who are by just saying 'hey you're doing great, your dog's lovely' and then just getting on with it. If you're not even the owner of another dog you can help by not judging people who are doing their best at this really difficult time."
To qualify for an exemption certificate, owners must prove their XL bully has been neutered by June 30.
If the pup is less than a year old by January 31, they must neutered by the end of 2024, and evidence must be provided.
As well as neutering their animals, XL bully owners seeking an exemption must also pay an application fee, hold active public liability insurance for their pets and ensure the dogs are microchipped.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said a "staggered approach" had been taken to the restrictions in order to safely manage the existing population of XL bully dogs while ultimately banning the breed.
The dogs were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act on October 31, giving owners two months to prepare for the first stage of restrictions.
People with dangerously out of control dogs can be jailed for 14 years and banned from owning animals, and their pets can be put down.
Mr 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 February 1."