XL Bully dogs will be added to the list of animals banned under the Dangerous Dog Act from the end of this year, the government has announced.
It comes after a spate of attacks involving the American XL Bully breed in recent years, including several deaths.
In September, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared the breed a “danger to communities” after a man died in a “suspected” attack by two of the dogs in Stonnall, Staffordshire.
From 31 December 2023 breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an XL Bully dog to stray will be illegal in England and Wales, the government said.
Also from 31 December 2023 XL Bully dogs must be muzzled and on a lead in public.
From 1 February 2024 it will also become illegal to own an XL Bully dog unless its owner applies for their animal to be registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs, and complies with a strict set of rules, by the end of January.
These include a requirement to keep their pets muzzled, neutered, microchipped and kept on a lead at all times in public.
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Ministers said compensation would also be provided to owners who wanted to have their dogs put to sleep by a vet. Details of how to apply will be released at a later date.
Breeders have also been told to stop mating the animals from now on in preparation for the change in the law.
‘Quick and decisive action’
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said the government was taking “quick and decisive action to protect the public from tragic dog attacks”.
She added: “We will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, as we take forward these important measures.”
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Mr Sunak announced his intention to ban the breed in September.
The announcement prompted protests from some owners, who accused the government of “bullying our best friends”.
A 29-year-old woman who suffered serious injuries in North Tyneside at the weekend is among those to have been recent victims of suspected XL bully attacks.
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Others include an 11-year-old girl, who was also seriously hurt when she was attacked by a American XL bully crossbreed in Birmingham in September.
In May Jonathan Hogg, 37, died after being mauled while looking after his friend’s dog, reported to be an XL bully.
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Last year a man and a woman were jailed after admitting to being in charge of a XL bully that mauled a 10-year-old boy to death in 201.
