UK Takes a Stand Against American XL Bully Dogs – Unveils Full List of Banned Breeds and Ownership Penalties
In a significant development, the United Kingdom is set to ban American XL bully dogs by the end of this year, in response to a series of recent attacks, as confirmed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The Prime Minister’s announcement comes in the wake of a tragic incident in Birmingham where a man lost his life after being attacked by two dogs, suspected to be bully XLs. Another disturbing incident went viral, depicting an 11-year-old girl suffering severe injuries in a dog attack. Tragically, two years ago, a 10-year-old boy was fatally attacked by a bully XL in Caerphilly, South Wales.
While American bully XLs are not yet included on the list of banned breeds in the UK, there are currently four prohibited dog breeds, including the Japanese Tosa.
Owning a banned dog in the UK carries severe penalties, which may include an “unlimited” fine and/or imprisonment.
The UK strictly prohibits the ownership of certain types of dogs. The following breeds are banned in the UK, according to the Gov.uk website:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
Furthermore, it is against the law to:
- Sell a banned dog
- Abandon a banned dog
- Give away a banned dog
- Breed from a banned dog
The Govt: website clarifies that whether a dog is considered banned depends on its appearance rather than its breed or name. For instance, if a dog exhibits many characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be classified as a banned type.
If you are found to have a banned dog, the police or local council dog warden have the authority to seize and retain the dog. Importantly, this can occur even if the dog is not displaying aggressive behavior or if there has been no complaint. In certain cases, the police may require court permission to remove the dog.
The website states that a police or council dog expert will assess the dog’s type and its potential danger to the public. Subsequently, your dog may either be:
- Released
- Held in kennels while the police (or council) seek a court decision
During this time, you will not be permitted to visit your dog while awaiting the court’s decision. If you can demonstrate that your dog does not belong to a banned breed, the court will order its return to you.
However, if you cannot prove that your dog is not banned or if you plead guilty, you will be convicted of a crime. The penalties for owning a banned dog in the UK include:
- An unlimited fine
- A prison sentence of up to 6 months
- A combination of both
Additionally, your dog will be euthanized as part of the punishment.”
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