Mum who bought two XL Bullies says she'd rather go to prison than give them up

16 January 2024 , 15:08

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Mum who bought two XL Bullies says she'd rather go to prison than give them up

A mum says she would rather serve time in jail than give up her two XL Bullies as she insists the owners are the problem not the breed.

Aichaa, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, has been left distraught by the recent ban which has been introduced across the UK following a string of attacks. The parent admitted her own daughter was initially terrified of XL Bullies after one ruthlessly bit her.

But since then, her five-year-old has grown a strong bond in particular to their one-year-old rescue dog Zaviour. The family also own four-month-old Diamond. Aichaa is now ridden with fear that her pets will be taken away from her as further restrictions are set to come into effect.

It has been reported that new laws will make it illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate from February 1. Under restrictions that were introduced last week, all owners have to keep their dogs on a lead and muzzled when in public. People have also been stopped from selling, advertising and breeding.

Speaking about her concerns, Aichaa told the BBC: "I'd sooner go to jail than lose my dogs. My dogs are calm. They're very playful and excitable, but their temperaments are fine. They're not aggressive, they'd never hurt anybody. Every day I worry about them being taken away from me."

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New legal restrictions against the breed came into effect last week (Getty Images)

She continued: "It's ridiculous. I understand they're big dogs, they're strong, and they could cause a lot of damage, but it's down to the owners of the dog, because any dog is capable to bite and attack and hurt somebody. A dog is a reflection of how they are raised by their owner. I don't think you should discriminate [against] a dog breed, you should be getting onto the owners." Owners of XL Bullies can now apply for an exemption certificate from the government's website. The breed joins the Japanese tosa, the Dogo Argentinos, the American pit bull terrier and the Fila Brazileiro on the banned list.

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Ethan Blackshaw