Neighbours should shop illegal XL Bully owners to police, says No10

06 February 2024 , 12:35

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It is illegal to have an XL Bully dog that is not registered (Image: PA)

People should shop their neighbours to the police if they believe they have illegal XL Bully dogs, Downing Street has said.

Since the start of the year, it’s been a criminal offence to own the breed in England and Wales unless they are registered and wear a muzzle in public.

No10 warned that owners who have unregistered XL Bully dogs could face up to six months in prison. It comes after a 39-year-old was man arrested after a grandmother was fatally attacked by two dogs at the weekend.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said: "Anyone who suspects there is an XL Bully that doesn’t meet the new rules should absolutely tell the police."

He added: "Anyone caught with an unregistered XL Bully can face up to six months in prison, the dog can be seized and put down. Anyone who lets their dog get dangerously out of control can face going to prison for up to 14 years."

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Esther Martin, 68, was killed at a home in Hillman Avenue in Jaywick, Essex, on Saturday after reportedly trying to break up fighting puppies. She had been visiting her 11-year-old grandson when the tragedy occurred, with neighbours describing "horrific" screaming.

The victim's daughter, Sonia Martin, has said the dogs were of the XL bully breed with a total of six puppies and two adults in the property. Acting Detective Superintendent Stuart Truss from Essex Police said investigators are working with experts to confirm the breed of the dogs.

Police arrived "within minutes", but despite the efforts of six officers as well as by members of the public, Ms Martin died at the scene. The 39-year-old man arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences, who is a family member, has been released on conditional bail until March 5.

Ms Martin, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, told the BBC that her mother had previously expressed concerns about the "dangerous and aggressive dogs". She told the broadcaster: "There were adult XL bully dogs in the property, and my mum had raised concerns to the owners about them being dangerous and quite aggressive. There were also six puppies."

She said she had been informed that the puppies had started fighting and her mother had been told by the dogs' owner to "put a broom in among them, to distract them". She said: "That's when she was attacked."

John Stevens