XL Bully Owners Face Police Crackdown as Registration Deadline Ends
The deadline for registering XL bully dogs in England and Wales slammed shut on Wednesday—and police are ready to crack down. Those who haven’t registered their dogs face seizure, fines, and prosecution.
Illegal XL Bullies Now a Criminal Offence
Owning an XL bully without an exemption certificate is officially a criminal offence. Authorities expect around 40,000 XL bullies to have been registered, but worry thousands are still flying under the radar. Unregistered dogs will be seized, and owners could be slapped with hefty penalties.
Police Warn Defiant Owners: Court Will Judge You Too
Mark Hobrough, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on dangerous dogs, warned that how owners behave during seizures could sway court decisions on whether a dog should be put down. “If people haven’t put their dog on the database already, they are committing an absolute offence,” Hobrough stated.
“The court’s decision depends not just on the dog’s behaviour but also if the owner is deemed fit, responsible, and non-aggressive.” – Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hobrough
Owners who resist seizure can expect measured police action, with officers aiming to use minimal force. Seized dogs will be kept in kennels while courts decide if they are a risk to public safety.
Public Urged to Report Unregistered Dogs
Hobrough called on the public to report any non-compliant XL bully owners to help authorities tackle the problem. The new ban follows a string of attacks linked to the breed, sparking government efforts to protect communities.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay added, “We have delivered our pledge to bring in this important measure to protect public safety, and we expect all XL bully owners to comply with the strict conditions.”
Officers face rising kennel demand and logistical hurdles as they work to enforce the ban and keep dangerous dogs off the streets.
