- author, Jennifer Clarke
- roll, BBC News
But several attacks involving these animals – some fatal – have been recorded since the law came into effect.
What is American Bully XL?
The Bully XL is the largest version of the American Bully dog.
The UK government has issued some guidelines to help identify the Bully XL, which is not recognized as a specific breed.
They are described as large dogs, “with a strong, muscular body, suggesting great strength and power [seu] size”.
Males are 51 cm tall at the shoulder, and females are slightly smaller.
Dogs are considered XL if they reach a minimum height and have a significant number of other characteristics.
Are they very dangerous?
When the Bully XL ban was announced in England and Wales at the end of 2023, the government reported 23 deaths from dog attacks since the start of 2021.
He added that Bully XL was “disproportionately involved” in attacks.
NHS doctor Richard Baker says their powerful jaws cause more damage than other species, resulting in broken bones, torn skin and damaged nerves.
“It’s a crush or laceration injury,” he explains. “When they bite, they don’t let go.”
In several cases, Bully XLs are known to have killed their owners, including a woman in her 50s in London in May.
Others killed by Bully XL were Esther Martin, 68, Ian Langley, 54, Ian Price, 52, Ann Dunn, 65, Bella-Rae Birch, 17 months and Jack Liss, 10.
However, there are no official statistics on the number of attacks carried out by each breed of dog.
The BBC sent requests under the Freedom of Information Act to all local police forces in England and Wales.
In 2023, police recorded 30,539 offenses involving an out-of-control dog causing injury to a person or guide dog – a 21% increase compared to 2022.
According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Justice, 695 people were prosecuted in England and Wales in 2023 for allowing a dog to harm another person. 570 people were convicted.
How does the ban work in England and Wales?
Ownership of American Bully XL dogs is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991. Until December 31, 2023, it is against the law to sell, give away, give away or breed a bull.
From February 1, 2024, possession of a Bully XL without an exemption certificate will be a criminal offence.
The government said it received 61,000 exemption requests before the deadline.
Unregistered prohibited dogs can be seized by the police, while their owners face criminal prosecution and fines.
Owners applying for an exemption must purchase insurance, microchip their dog and pay a fee of £92.40 per pet.
Registered animals must be kept safe, on a leash and masked in public – but not at home.
Dogs must also be neutered – by June 30 for older dogs or by the end of 2024 for dogs under one year old.
Bully XL owners in England and Wales can no longer apply for an Exemption Certificate.
If someone decides not to keep their animal, they must take it to a registered vet for euthanasia by January 31, 2024.
As of April 22, 2024, the government said it had received 400 valid claims for euthanasia compensation – and processed 395 at a cost of £76,500.
What are the rules in Scotland?
From February 23, American Bully XLs must be muzzled and on a leash in public in Scotland.
It is illegal to assign, transfer, sell, buy or transfer ownership of Bully XL.
Anyone who breaks the rules can be jailed for up to six months and/or fined up to £5,000.
Owners who wish to breed their dogs must request an exemption certificate by July 31, 2024.
Details on how to register animals will be released before the deadline.
It is expected that the requirements for Bully XL owners to claim exemption in Scotland will mirror those in England and Wales.
What are the rules in Northern Ireland?
Those wishing to own a Bully XL must register the animal.
Owners will be subject to many of the same restrictions as the rest of the UK:
– Dogs must be sterilized, masked and kept on a leash in public;
– Breeding, abandoning, transferring, selling, buying or transferring ownership of these animals is illegal.
It is not clear when the new requirements will come into force, but it is believed that legislation could be introduced in Northern Ireland in the summer or early autumn.
Why are some companies against the ban?
According to the Dog Control Coalition, breed-based bans don’t work and are unfair to responsible owners and their pets.
The organization includes Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, The Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the British Veterinary Medical Association.
The group wants a complete overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act, including tougher penalties for owners who fail to control their animals.
What other breeds are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act?
Four other breeds are banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991:
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