From next week, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog
that is not registered
Owners must act now to register their dog by 31
January
Decision to ban this breed of dogs comes after a number
of dog attacks and fatalities caused by this dangerous
breed
XL Bully dogs will be banned in
less than one week, as the Government takes action to protect the
public.
From the 1st February, anyone
found in possession of one of these dangerous dogs, if it is not
registered and does not adhere to strict conditions, will face a
criminal record and an unlimited fine.
The decision to ban XL Bully
comes after a concerning rise in tragic dog attacks and
fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs.
In order to safely manage the
existing population of these dogs, owners of XL Bully dogs have
less than one week to register their dog, if they have not
already done so. The registration system for the breed will close
at noon on Wednesday 31 January and owners have until then to
obtain their certificate in time.
The UK’s Chief Vet is urging
any remaining unregistered XL Bully owners not to delay any
further and register their dog. Alternatively, the owner can
arrange an appointment with their veterinarian for their dog to
be put down by 31 January.
By registering their XL Bully,
owners will have to comply with restrictions to ensure pets do
not pose a danger to the public. This includes having them
microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled when in public and, to
make sure these dogs cannot continue breeding, they must also be
neutered. For most dogs, this will be by 30 June, and for dogs
under one year old, this should be by the end of 2024.
Chief Veterinary
Officer Christine Middlemiss said:
"Please do not risk leaving it
to the last minute if you want to keep your dog, you should
register it now.
“If you are unsure if your dog
is an XL Bully or whether any puppies may grow up to be of this
dog type, you should comply with the relevant requirements and
restrictions."
If owners are
unsure whether their dog could be classed as an XL Bully, they
should check their dog carefully against our
guidance and photo examples of XL Bully dogs
to help them decide. If someone has a
dog that is clearly another established breed, the ban does not
apply.
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).
Notes to
editors:
- Over 30,000 dogs have now been registered.
- There have been over 100 claims for compensation.
