XL Bully type ban - new rules commenced:

From (and on) the 31st December 2023 it is now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange and abandon these dogs or let them stray.

XL Bully type dogs must now be kept on a lead and muzzled in all public places, including inside a vehicle if the vehicle is in a public place, the lead must be held by someone not less that 16yrs of age.

From 1st February 2024 all XL Bully dogs must be registered and exempted - there is now less than a month to meet the deadline when the ban comes into force on 1 February.

Owning an unregistered dog after this date will be a criminal offence, with owners who don’t facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine.

From 30 June 2024, XL Bully dogs over 1 year old must be neutered, this is extended until the 31 December 2024 for younger dogs.

Government Response to Petition

The Petition is now closed and reached over 10,000 signatures, calling on the numbers of companion animals euthanised in England to be recorded and published:

Currently there is no accurate data on companion animal euthanasia. We want requirements for veterinarians, rescue organisations and pounds to record and report details on companion animal euthanasia including why, where, gender, breed, age, and breeder information.

This should then be published by the Government.
Government responses to previous petitions have failed to acknowledge that this data is needed.
A large number of companion animals are at risk of euthanasia and/or euthanised due to economic restraints, behaviour issues, lack of rescue spaces and treatable health conditions
Mandatory recording requirements would provide information that can be used to put in place measures to help reduce future risks of euthanasia and provide data leading to awareness and action on areas of concern to the public, such as abandonment, bites and behaviour.
Change does not happen without evidence.
#TuksLaw

Gov Response:

We are not planning to impose new euthanasia reporting requirements on veterinarians, rescue organisations and kennels.

As outlined in previous responses to similar petitions on this issue, making a decision to euthanise an animal is often a complex, emotional and challenging decision, particularly when that animal is a much-loved family pet. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 ensures there are safeguards in place to protect the welfare of animals, including those being euthanised.

Advice about euthanasia is laid out in the guidance underpinning the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, which all veterinary surgeons practising in the UK must adhere to. We have not seen evidence that veterinary surgeons are not adhering to the Code in respect of carrying out euthanasia.

Euthanasia is an important means to help protect animal welfare by being able to relieve suffering. Whilst this is the primary reason for euthanasia, a veterinary surgeon must also take account of the owners’ wishes and other circumstances.

A reporting requirement carries a considerable resource burden on the sector. We regularly meet with stakeholders to understand issues and trends that affect the companion animal sector. We will continue to do so and remain of the view that the case for a new reporting requirement as called for in this petition has not been established.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

XL Bully type ban - update

22nd December 2023: A court hearing took place before Mr Justice Lane: The King (on application of Licence Me Group) V Secretary of State for DEFRA. An Interim Injunction was applied for and was not granted. Permission for a Judicial Review hearing was granted and this is expected to follow in January.

Also:

19th December 2023: A further Statutory Instrument (new law) has been laid, it applies to England and Wales and part of it is in reference to XL Bully type dogs held by rescue and rehoming organisations

It can be viewed in full here - Statutory Instrument 1407 2023

DEFRA have said that rescue and rehoming organisations can apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog from 31 December. The dog must have been held on or before 31 October 2023 and applications must be sent by 15 January 2024.

Dogs obtained after 31 October 2023:

If an XL Bully dog was obtained after 31 October 2023, the rescue or rehoming organisation cannot apply for a Certificate of Exemption.

Petition Signatures Needed - XL Bully TYPE's in Rescues

Please sign this Government Petition HERE

The XL Bully Ban applies to a 'type' of dog - affecting many dogs in rescue and rehoming organisations.

Dogs identified as being a XL Bully Type must be rehomed by 31st December 2023 or put to death, placing enormous pressure and heart-breaking situations on all those who care for them.

Petition Text:

Delay the ban on rehoming and owning XL Bully dogs for 18 months

XL Bully dogs cannot be rehomed after 31/12/23, and will be illegal to own without an exemption certificate from 1/2/24. As a result many Bully dogs are being abandoned or placed in rescue. We want more time for owners to rehome or get exemptions, to avoid dogs being euthanised unnecessarily.

The dogs in rescue are not there through choice. They are there due to abusive owners or neglectful owners, or because the implications of the ban have forced people to choose between their home and their beloved dog. These dogs do not deserve to die and these dogs do not deserve to live out the last 2 months of their lives in kennels. If you extend the amnesty period for them 18 months they may be able to get exemption certificates and find forever homes. They are sentient beings.

Contact Your MP-Upcoming Dog Ban

Sir Christopher Chope MP tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM 114) on 27th November - Please ask your MP to sign in support.

Please contact Your MP and ask them to add their signature to Early Day Motion 114 in support of this motion.

The new law is affecting countless dogs across England and Wales, many in rescue shelters where they cannot be re-homed after the 31st December deadline.

Responsible owners are expected to work out for themselves whether or not their own dog is a designated xl Bully type of dog, completely ridiculous, facing potential criminal proceedings in the future, the legislation has been rushed through, with no parliamentary debate to examine the detail and full impact.

The EDM relates to Statutory Instrument No 164 2023 - the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (England and Wales) Order, SI No 1204 2023 adds the XL Bully type to the primary legislation from 1991, which currently bans four types of dog.

XL Bully Official Definition updated by DEFRA

The description issued has been updated and is now including a video from the Blue Cross demonstrating how to measure your dog is now included - 

Official definition of an XL Bully dog - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Applying to England and Wales - currently not Scotland and Northern Ireland although this may change in the future.

Height is an important factor: if your dog is smaller than the height specified in the Government’s definition then they are not an American Bully XL, and you don’t need to look at any other aspects in the definition. The height should be measured from the ground to the withers (which means the point of the body immediately behind the neck, at the top of the shoulders), not any higher point on the dog.  
The Government has defined an American XL Bully as: 

• Adult male from 20in (51 cm) at the withers 

• Adult female from 19in (48cm) at the withers 

The ban only applies to XL Bully dogs. There are other established breeds such as those recognised by the UK Kennel Club that may meet some of the characteristics of the XL Bully breed type. These are not within scope of the ban. 

A suspected XL Bully breed type does not need to fit the physical description perfectly. If your dog meets the minimum height measurements and a substantial number of the characteristics in the official definition, it could be considered an XL Bully breed type.

If you think your dog meets the minimum height measurements and has a substantial amount of the physical characteristics set out in the official definition, your dog may be in scope of the ban. This includes if it was not sold as an XL Bully.

Use the official definition of an XL Bully to check if your dog is an XL Bully. You’ll need to check the dog’s physical characteristics such as its size and height. It’s up to the owner or keeper to self-identify whether a dog may be an XL Bully.

Defra recommends taking a precautionary approach. If you’re not sure if your dog is an XL Bully, you should prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs. This includes puppies that may grow up to be an XL Bully.

The ban only applies to XL Bully dogs. There are other established breeds, such as those recognised by the UK Kennel Club, that may meet some of the characteristics of the XL Bully breed type. These are not within scope of the ban.

A suspected XL Bully breed type does not need to fit the physical description perfectly. If your dog meets the minimum height measurements and a substantial number of the characteristics in the official definition, it could be considered an XL Bully breed type.

If you think your dog meets the minimum height measurements and has a substantial amount of the physical characteristics set out in the official definition, your dog may be in scope of the ban. This includes if it was not sold as an XL Bully.

Enforcement officers should use the PDF version of the official definition of an XL Bully dog. 

Photographs DEFRA: - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/655cb2e8544aea000dfb31ca/Official_definition_of_an_XL_Bully_dog__for_enforcement_officers_.pdf

Extension of Breed Specific Legislation

DEFRA:

Relating currently to England and Wales

These changes will come into force in 2 stages. Full info can be found on the Government website here
From 31 December 2023 it will be against the law to:

• sell an XL Bully dog

• abandon an XL Bully dog

• give away an XL Bully dog

• breed from an XL Bully dog

• have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for your dog.
You will need to adhere to strict rules such as microchipping your dog and keeping it on a lead and muzzled when in public.

You will also need to neuter your dog. If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024.

If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024. We recommend that you arrange for your dog to be neutered as soon as possible to ensure that you meet these deadlines.

Check if your dog is an XL Bully dog

Use the Official definition of an XL Bully dog to identify if your dog may be an XL Bully. This involves checking the dog’s physical characteristics such as its size and height.

We recommend taking a precautionary approach. If you’re not sure if you have an XL Bully dog, you should comply with all new requirements for this dog type. This includes puppies that may grow up to be an XL Bully dog.

Keeping an XL Bully dog

If you want to keep your dog after the ban, you must apply for a Certificate of Exemption.

You will have until 31 January 2024 to apply for this exemption.

Applications will be subject to a £92.40 application fee, to cover administration costs.

To keep an XL Bully dog you must ensure it is:

• microchipped
• kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public
• kept in a secure place so it cannot escape

You will also need to neuter your dog. If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024. We recommend that you arrange for your dog to be neutered as soon as possible to ensure that you meet these deadlines.

As the owner, you must also:

• be over 16 years old
• take out insurance against your dog injuring other people - this is provided through Dogs Trust Membership
• be able to show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days

Defra will provide more information on how to apply for an exemption for an XL Bully dog soon.