The Government have confirmed that XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year.
Since 2011, 11 people have died in XL Bully related attacks according to Bullywatch. Ministers say that are £200 compensation fee will be offered to owners who choose to put their XL Bully dog down. The breed has also been added to the list of banned dogs in England and Wales under the Dangerous Dog Act 1991.
One owner has hit out against the Government and has been sharing his opinion to his 133,000 Instagram followers. Adam Barr, 32, owns three XL Bully dogs and has said: “They are trying to ban an XL bully like breed for attacking people, it’s not XL’s that are attacking people. I think it’s a complete wrong opinion and they are just destroying a breed for no reason.” Barr went onto say: “If this ban really comes into place it would destroy me, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my dogs whether it be I need to do a course or get a license to prove that I can look after them I will do it.”
Covea insurance worker Grace Coffey said, “We’ve had many situations before where people have claimed for treatment for their dog or it’s been attacked, if we assess it and look into the claim and find out it’s an XL Bully breed we won’t cover it at all.”
After 31 December it will be mandatory that XL Bully dogs will have to wear muzzles and be on a lead in public. Then from 1 February 2024 it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without exemption.
Dog breeders have been told to stop breeding these type of dogs in preparation for the law to be changed.
If owners refuse to give up their dogs without an exemption they will face having their dogs being seized or a fine.
