With the recent announcement of the XL Bully ban, I hope to provide some background and address some worries raised by constituents.
Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are already breaking the law, and the enforcement authorities have a full range of powers to apply penalties. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, people can be imprisoned for up to 14 years, be disqualified from ownership, or their dangerous dogs can be euthanised.
Following the rise in tragic dog attacks appearing to be driven by XL Bullies, the Government has taken decisive action to protect the public by adding the XL Bully type to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act. As of 31 December 2023, it is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales. XL Bully dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public, and they cannot be abandoned or allowed to stray. A failure to comply will be a criminal offence.
As of 1 February 2024, it has also become illegal to own an XL Bully dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs. By staggering these dates, current owners of this breed were given time to prepare for these new rules.
Owners who wished to legally keep their dogs were given until 31 January 2024 to register their dog on the Index of Exempted dogs and comply with the requirements. As part of the process, all owners were required to provide proof that their dog had been microchipped and neutered.
I am assured that Ministers will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, as these important measures are enforced.