People in Suffolk urged to register their XL Bully Dogs before deadline
Online applications close on the 31st of January
With only a few days left to complete exemption applications for Xl Bully Dogs, the RSPCA maintains that banning breeds is not the way forward.
People in Suffolk and across the UK must have online applications completed by noon on 31 January.
If owners do not have that certificate by the 1st of February 2024 it will be illegal for them to own their dog, leaving owners at risk of having their dog seized.
They could also face a criminal record.
Doctor Sam Gains, from the RSPCA, told us they did not want to see a 5th type of dog being added to the Dangerous Dogs Act, opposing the "breed specific legislation" so much that they campaigned for a different approach believing banning a breed would not be "effective."
Sam told us she understands that urgent action "is required to keep people safe around dogs" but banning this breed is not the way to do this.
Instead, they would have liked to see the government promoting responsible dog ownership and acknowledging dogs have a "whole range of personalities."
Sam went onto say they know from "scientific evidence" that a dog's breed is not a "good or reliable" predictor of aggressive behaviour.
And a dog's behaviour is a result of their genetic makeup as well as their lifetime experiences, ie. nature vs nurture.
Sam also explained that many dogs may act out if they are in pain or feel frightened or threatened, but they will do their best to try and communicate this to humans before they go to an aggressive response.
Some of the signs Sam told us to look out for include:
- Avoiding eye contact
- Licking their lips
- Yawning
- Crouching down on the floor
- Tucking their tail
- Seeing the whites of a dog's eye - Sam explained in a relaxed dog you would typically only see their eye colour
Sam advised that if anyone sees their dog behaving in this way, they should take them to the vet to make sure they're not in any pain, discomfort or have any underlying health conditions
If they are healthy then go to a clinical animal behaviourist.