The UK government has announced stringent measures aimed at regulating the ownership of XL Bully dogs, making it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, rehome or allow these dogs to stray in public.
Starting from December 31, 2023, the breed will also be required to be muzzled and on a lead when in public areas. Ownership of an XL Bully dog will be classified as a criminal offence unless it appears on a list of exempted dogs, effective from February 1, 2024.
Existing dog owners will have a grace period to ensure their dogs are neutered and microchipped. Dogs under one year of age on January 31, 2024, must be neutered by December 31, 2024, while dogs older than one year on that date must be neutered by June 30.
Additionally, breeders are advised to cease mating XL Bully dogs immediately, as it will become illegal to sell or rehome these dogs.
The ban applies to several breeds, including the American XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro, among others.
According to Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey, she said, “There’s been a significant increase in attacks, particularly from this breed as a proportion of dogs, and more broadly, the Dangerous Dogs Act makes it a criminal offence for people to have a dog dangerously out of control.
“There have been a lot of attacks, well-publicised, and it’s important that we took this robust decision.”
Owners who do not comply with these regulations may opt to have their dogs euthanised by a veterinarian, with compensation offered to assist with the costs.
The government intends to work closely with law enforcement, veterinary experts, animal welfare groups, and other stakeholders to implement these measures effectively.
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