More than 50,000 XL Bully dogs live in the UK - despite national ban

27 February 2024 , 08:22

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There are still 50,000 XL Bullies on Britain's streets (Image: Getty Images)

Tens of thousands of XL Bullys continue to prowl Britain’s streets despite the Government’s ban - more than five times originally believed.

Documents from the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) show owners registered 55,000 of the dogs before the February 1 deadline for an exemption certificate. As of that date it is a criminal offence to own one of the animals without the document.

The number is around five times that the Government is believed to have existed in this country, according to the documents obtained by the Sun. It follows restrictions which came into force at the end of last year, which mean the breed must now be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. Breeding, selling or abandoning the dogs also became illegal as of December 31.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: "The ban on XL Bullies is now in place meaning it is illegal to own one of these dogs unless it has been registered. 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.”

It comes as earlier this month an sanctuary owner vowed to keep two of the animals in kennels for life. Kerryanne Shaw, of All Bullie Charity Rescue, is fearful the new restrictions could mean her meet a “horrific death” if placed in the wrong hands. The 38-year-old spoke out after a ‘Bully’ type dog was shot dead by armed officers in East Kilbride on Sunday morning.

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As well as neutering their animals, XL Bully owners seeking an exemption must also pay an application fee, hold third-party public liability insurance for their pets, and ensure the dogs are microchipped. The Government move to ban the breed followed a series of attacks involving XL bullies. Owners of XL bully dogs in will also be subject at a later date to the safeguards after the Scottish Government replicated legislation in place south of the border.

The ban has however been welcomed by a number of survivor's groups, with campaigners including members of families who have lost children or loved ones to attacks by the dog breed. The American XL bully breed of dog has been responsible for nearly 50% of all attacks on both humans and dogs, and 70% of all deaths to dogs since 2021.

Antony Clements-Thrower