In response to a recent surge in “horror” attacks involving American XL Bully dogs, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans to ban this particular breed, citing concerns over public safety. The decision comes on the heels of a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of a man’s life.
Prime Minister Sunak expressed his deep concern and empathy for the victims of these attacks, saying, “I share the nation’s horror at the recent videos we’ve all seen.” He went on to underscore the seriousness of the issue, emphasising that it extends beyond a few instances of poorly trained uk/topic/dogs" title="dogs" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="41896">dogs. “It is clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs; it’s a pattern of behavior, and it cannot go on,” he stated.
The move to ban American XL Bully dogs is a significant step aimed at safeguarding the public from potential harm. While acknowledging that dog owners already have a responsibility to control their pets, Sunak reassured the public that the government is actively working on implementing measures to prevent such attacks and enhance public safety.
Notably, the American XL Bully dog is not currently recognised as a specific breed in the UK, but it is acknowledged as such in the United States. These dogs are believed to have originated in the late 1980s by crossing American pit bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers. Over time, they have been bred with other breeds to develop a more muscular physique. There are four recognised variations of American Bully dogs: standard, pocket, classic, and XL.
Campaign group Bully Watch has reported that this breed made its appearance in the UK around 2014 or 2015, with their numbers growing significantly, especially during the pandemic.
The Prime Minister has indicated that the ban on American XL Bully dogs will be enforced by the end of the year, once the necessary work is done to formally define the breed in the UK.
