Beginning on Sunday, the ban on XL Bully Dogs in England and Wales is set to take effect due to public safety concerns. The new control measures are being implemented to target these dogs, which are a known “dangerous breed”. As of Sunday, owners of such dogs must have a legal permit to keep them, or face severe penalties if they are not in compliance and are caught with the breed in England and Wales. The ban has been approved by both countries’ governments, with England’s Home Secretary, Sajid Javid commenting on the situation surrounding the decision.
“We need to balance the need to protect people from these dangerous dogs, while also being fair to responsible dog owners,” said Javid. “These new control measures will ensure that those who have such dogs get the help and advice they need, while also creating a stronger deterrent for those who are putting people at risk by trapping them.”
XL Bully Dogs are defined as those that are larger than their regular “bully dog” counterparts. They are a variation of the popular American Staffie breed and are sometimes known as “bully-type” dogs. As well as having an intimidating size, the dogs are also often bred with aggressive temperaments.
Under the ban, all owners of existing XL Bully Dogs will need to apply for a license from their local police station as soon as possible in order to keep their pet. Additionally, if someone is caught with an unlicensed XL Bully Dog, they can face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to 6 months in prison. If an attack is committed by the dog against a person or other animal, the owner may face a jail sentence of up to 14 years. Animals seized by authorities as a result of the ban may be destroyed if deemed to be a risk to public safety by a court. There is no time limit to when the court must reach its decision on the matter.
Despite the ban being set to take effect on Sunday, some are unsure of its actual effectiveness. With stricter regulations on who can legally own the XL Bully Dog breed, those looking to purchase one for unlawful purposes may still be able to do so as puppies and evade the law. Nonetheless, authorities are optimistic that the ban will act as a deterrent and will ultimately help to make the public safer.
