New laws banning XL Bully type dogs have been laid in Parliament
today, as the Government adds the breed to the list of dogs
banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The announcement fulfils the Government’s pledge to put in place
laws to ban the breed by the end of the year and protect the
public following a concerning rise in fatal attacks.
Under the new rules, which come into force at the end of the
year, it will be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange,
gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray in England
and Wales.
From this date, these dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in
public. Owners of XL Bully dogs are recommended to start training
their dog to wear a muzzle and to walk on a lead ahead of the
legal restrictions coming into force.
Breeders have also been told to stop mating these types of dogs
from now in preparation of it being a criminal offence to sell or
rehome these dogs.
From 1 February 2024 , it will then become illegal to own an XL
Bully dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
By staggering these two dates, current owners of this breed will
have time to prepare for these new rules.
Owners who wish to keep their dogs will have until the end of
January to register them and will be forced to comply with strict
requirements. As well as being muzzled and kept on a lead in
public, these dogs must also be microchipped and neutered.
Dogs under one year when the ban comes in must be neutered by the
end of the year, older dogs must be neutered by the end of June.
From 1 February, owners without a Certificate of Exemption face a
criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in
possession of an XL Bully type, and their dog could be seized.
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:
We are taking quick and decisive action to protect the public
from tragic dog attacks and today I have added the XL Bully type
to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs
Act.
It will soon become a criminal offence to breed, sell, advertise,
rehome or abandon an XL Bully type dog, and they must also be
kept on a lead and muzzled in public. In due course it will also
be illegal to own one of these dogs without an exemption.
We will continue to work closely with the police, canine and
veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, as we take forward
these important measures.
Owners may choose to have their dog put to sleep by a vet,
with compensation provided to help with these costs. Further
details on how to apply for compensation and the evidence
required to make a claim will be provided soon.
As part of the process, the definition of the ‘XL Bully’ breed
type has also been published today. This follows meetings of an
expert group, convened by the Environment Secretary and made up
of police, local authority, vets and other animal welfare experts
to help define the breed. The definition provides clear
assessment criteria for owners and enforcement authorities and is
a requirement under the Dangerous Dogs Act in order to deliver
the ban.
Owners can access the most up to date information on what action
they need to take and when on this dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL
Bully dogs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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 to them. Under the
Dangerous Dogs Act, people can be put in prison for up to 14
years, be disqualified from ownership or their dangerous dogs can
be euthanised.
ENDSNotes to Editors
- From 31 December 2023, owners must keep XL bully dogs on a
lead and muzzled when in public. It will also be an offence to
breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon, or allow
XL Bully dogs to stray.
- From 31 January 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully
unless it is registered on the Index of Exempted dogs and is
compliant with the requirements.
- If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it
must be neutered by 30 June 2024.
- If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it
must be neutered by 31 December 2024.
