Owners of American XL Bully dogs have one day left to make sure their pets are legal
A dog rescue in Dorset is ‘disappointed’ XL Bully’s are being targeted and not careless owners using them as ‘status symbols’
A controversial ban on XL Bully’s is set to come into force in England and Wales from tomorrow.
Earlier this year, the breed was added to the banned dogs list under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 following a spate of attacks which saw some people lose their lives.
Starting December 31st, it will be against the law to sell, abandon or let stray, give away and breed from an XL Bully dog, as well as to have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle.
But many owners and animal welfare advocates have defended the breed and instead pinned blame on the owners.
Shelia Meridith from Waggy Tails Rescue in Wimborne told us: “The problem with these dogs is the owners and not the breed.
“Some people who own them think they are some sort of status symbol, while others were told they would be good family dogs.
“It’s surprising to see the number of XL Bully owners who hadn’t owned a dog before and hadn’t done any research on the dog or done any training and that’s what’s led to these incidents because they are big and powerful.”
All XL Bully’s must be registered with DEFRA under the dangerous dogs ACT 1991 before February 1st which has led to many owners having to make ‘heartbreaking decisions’.
Shelia said: “We've had loads and loads of calls of people trying to find a rescue centre that will take their XL Bully but I don’t think any rescues have been taking them since the government announced the ban.”
She called it “a great shame” that the government decided to target the breed and not use this opportunity to change the Dangerous Dogs Act to make “all provisions for owners regulated”.
“We have an XL Bully in our rescue and he's a lovely dog,” Shelia said: “But now we're going to have to look after him for the rest of his life and that’s not much of a life for a dog.”