The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced that American Bully XL dogs will be banned in the country by the end of the year. This decision comes after a man in England died in what is described as another suspected XL bully attack. This incident is part of a series of deadly attacks involving the breed.
American Bully XL dogs are the largest of the four types of American Bully breeds. They can weigh over 60kg and are strong enough to overpower an adult. Originating in the US in the late 1980s, American Bullies are a crossbreed of American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers. They have been further bred with other breeds to create a more muscular appearance.
While the United States recognizes the American Bully as a specific breed, the main British dog associations do not. The breed only appeared in the UK around 2014 or 2015, with numbers growing rapidly during the coronavirus pandemic.
The breed has been involved in several high-profile attacks in the UK, leading to calls for a ban. Recently, an 11-year-old girl was attacked, and two men who intervened were also bitten. In another incident, a 65-year-old grandmother was killed when she tried to break up a fight between her two American Bullies. Last year, a toddler was mauled to death in her own home by one of the dogs.
American Bullies are already banned in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and restricted in the Republic of Ireland. Under the UK's Dangerous Dogs Act, it is illegal to own certain breeds, including Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brazileiros. Dogs that share physical characteristics with these banned breeds, such as crossbreeds, are also prohibited.
If a banned breed is found in the UK, the police or local council dog wardens can seize the dog, even if it is not acting dangerously. If the matter goes to court, the owner must prove that their dog is not a banned type. Failure to do so can result in a conviction with an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison, and the dog will be destroyed.
The ban on American Bully XL dogs in the UK aims to address the concerns raised by the recent attacks and ensure public safety.