- author, Jennifer Clark
- scroll, BBC News
But several attacks involving these animals, some fatal, have been recorded since the legislation was put into effect.
What is American Bully XL?
The Bully XL is the largest version of the American Bully.
The UK government has published some guidelines to help identify the Bully XL, which is not recognized as a specific breed.
They are described as large dogs “with a stocky, muscular body, suggesting great strength and fighting ability.” [seu] measuring”.
Males are 51 cm tall at the shoulders, while females are slightly smaller.
Dogs are considered XL if they reach the minimum height and present a large 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 that 23 deaths had been due to dog attacks since the start of 2021.
He added that Bully XL was “disproportionately involved” in the attacks.
Doctor Richard Baker, from the NHS, says the powerful jaws of these animals cause more damaging injuries than those of other breeds, leading to broken bones, torn skin and nerve damage.
“It's a crushing injury or tear,” he explains. “When they bite, they don't let go.”
In several cases, Bully XLs have been known to kill their owners, including a woman in her 50s in London in May.
Other people killed by a bully 10 years ago.
But there are no official statistics on the number of attacks carried out by each breed of dog.
The BBC has sent Freedom of Information Act requests to all local police forces in England and Wales.
The responses showed that in 2023, police recorded 30,539 crimes involving an out-of-control dog that caused injury to a person or a guide dog – an increase of 21% compared to 2022.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Justice, 695 people were prosecuted in 2023 for allowing a dog to harm another person in England and Wales. There were 570 convictions.
How does the ban work in England and Wales?
Ownership of American Bully XL dogs is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991. As of December 31, 2023, it is against the law to sell, give away, abandon or breed bully dogs.
Since 1 February 2024, it has been a criminal offense to own a Bully XL without an exemption certificate.
The government stated that it received 61,000 exemption requests before the deadline.
Unregistered banned dogs can be confiscated by police, while their owners face criminal prosecution and fines.
Owners who apply for an exemption must buy insurance, microchip their dog and pay a fee of £92.40 per pet.
Registered animals must be securely housed, and kept leashed and muzzled in public places – but not at home.
Dogs must also be neutered – by June 30 in the case of 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.
Anyone who decides not to keep their animal will have to take it to a registered vet to be euthanized by 31 January 2024.
On 22 April 2024, the government reported that it had received 400 valid applications for euthanasia compensation – and had processed 395 of them, at a cost of £76,500.
What are the rules in Scotland?
Since February 23, the American Bully XL must be muzzled and kept on a leash in public places in Scotland.
It is illegal to give away, transfer, sell, buy or transfer ownership of Bully XL.
Anyone who breaks the rules risks being sentenced to up to six months in prison and/or paying a fine of up to £5,000.
Owners who intend to keep their dogs must request an exemption certificate by July 31, 2024.
Details on how to register the animal will be published before the deadline.
The requirements for Bully XL owners to obtain an exemption in Scotland are expected to mirror those in England and Wales.
What are the rules in Northern Ireland?
People who want to keep a Bully XL will have to register the animal.
Landlords will be subject to many of the same restrictions as in the rest of the UK:
– Dogs must be neutered, muzzled and kept on a leash in public places;
– It would be illegal to breed, give away, transport, sell, buy or transfer these animals.
It is unclear when the new requirements will come into force, but it is believed legislation could be introduced in the summer or early autumn in Northern Ireland.
Why do some institutions oppose the ban?
Breed-specific bans don't work, and are unfair to responsible owners and their pets, according to the Dog Control Alliance.
The body includes Battersea Kennels for Dogs and Cats, The Kennel Trust, The Kennel Club, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the British Veterinary Association.
The group wants an overhaul of the dangerous dog law, including tougher penalties for owners who fail to control their animals.
What other breeds are prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act?
Four other breeds are banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991:
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