DEFRA Statement - American Bully XL Ban:

Announcement on 15th September from Government, as below:

On the back of a number of shocking ‘American XL Bully’ attacks, the Environment Secretary will urgently convene experts to define the ‘American XL bully’ breed type in the next week.

This is a vital first step towards adding it to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

This group will include police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare stakeholders.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said:

Dog attacks are devastating for victims and their families and it is clear that more now needs to be done to stop them and protect the public. That is why we are taking decisive action to ban the American XL Bully.

This is on top of the work the Government has been doing for some time with the police and local authorities to encourage responsible dog ownership and make sure the full force of the law is being applied.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, a definition of the ‘American XL Bully’ breed type needs to be specified – including clear assessment criteria for enforcement authorities – in order to impose a ban. The Government must then lay a Statutory Instrument to add it to the list of dogs banned under the Act. This will make it an offence to own, breed, gift or sell an XL bully. We will do this by the end of the year.

We need to safely manage the existing population of these dogs, therefore there will be a transition period. Further details on how the transition period will work will be provided in due course. Current XL Bully dog owners do not need to take any action at this stage however, if XL Bully owners do not come forward during the transition period, they will be committing a criminal offence if they are subsequently found to be keeping one of these dogs.

Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are already breaking the law, and we already 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.

Further detail on next steps for developing a ban and information for owners will be provided in due course.

Government to ban American Bully XL

On the 10th September Suella Braverman, Home Secretary announced online that she had commissioned urgent advice on banning the American Bully XL. 

The on the 15th September Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that the American Bully XL will be banned by the end of the year - 2023.

DEFRA have said they will lay a Statutory Instrument to add the American XL Bully to the current list of dogs banned.

Breed specific legislation can be found within Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act which was first introduced in the UK back in 1991 and has been widely criticised as a complete failure. 

Currently four 'types' of dog are prohibited, with 'type' having a broader definition in law than 'breed'. Dogs are presently identified based mainly on their appearance (physical measurements and proportions) not on DNA, parentage on pedigree papers.

DEFRA have also said that there will be a transition period - Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss stated on the 16th Sept that the transition period, referred to as an 'amnesty' will require owners to register their dogs and take action including neutering and insurance, muzzle and leash in all public places. 

These are some of the requirements currently needed for dog registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs

Currently the law has NOT changed, it is planned to change and the Government is taking advice.

The details including how the American Bully XL will be defined - has not yet been made public.

It is recommended that owners take steps now to get ahead of what will be required:

Neuter your dog (record your dog's microchip details at the vets on your dogs record for proof of neutering at a later date if needed).

Obtain the 3rd party liability insurance cover now, by joining the Dogs Trust membership scheme, you will be covered as a benefit to membership - £25 per year per person (£12.50 if over 60yrs) covering up to 10 dogs. Details on their website here.

Buy a decent muzzle which allows your dog to pant and breath, begin muzzle training now, so that you have time for your dog to adjust to wearing a muzzle.

Make sure your dog is microchipped and the dog's microchip information is up to date on the database.