Tories refuse to ban Bully XL killer breed behind wave of horror dog attacks
Tory ministers face a backlash as they refuse to ban the killer breed behind a spate of horror dog attacks.
The Mirror can reveal the Government has officially rejected calls to outlaw Bully XLs.
MPs from all sides have demanded urgent action after the breed was responsible for at least nine deaths since 2021, including three children. The victims include 10-year-old Jack Lis who was mauled by an eight-stone Bully XL named Beast in Caerphilly, South Wales, and Bella-Rae Birch, a 17-month-old girl attacked by a dog her family had only owned for a week.
Ministers had confirmed they were considering a ban on Bully XLs. The breed is closely related to the Pit Bull Terrier, which is one of four types that are banned in the UK, but it is not subject to any legal restrictions itself.
Home Office minister Chris Philip last month warned that action was needed on dangerous dogs sooner rather than later (Getty Images)Home Office minister Chris Philp last month said: “We need to do something specifically about the Bully XL because it's just not acceptable to have seven people last year killed by this one dog. Even though this particular breed is a tiny fraction of all dogs in the country, they make up a significant portion - somewhere between a quarter and a half - of all dogs that the police have to seize.”
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In an interview with LBC, he insisted “it's something that we want to act on sooner rather than later because it is dangerous”, adding that a “complete ban” on the breed was one of the options being examined.
But now ministers have quietly announced they do not intend to introduce a ban. In response to a written question in the House of Lords asking what consideration they have given to adding the Bully XL to the list of banned dog breeds, Environment Minister Lord Benyon on Thursday said there were “no plans” to do so.
He wrote: “We take the issue of dangerous dogs and fatal dog attacks seriously and are making sure enforcement measures are fully utilised for all breeds of dog. These measures range from Community Protection Notices that can be served for low level antisocial behaviour to offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act – where serious offences can see people put in prison for up to 14 years, disqualified from ownership or their dog euthanised if they allow it to become dangerously out of control.”
He added: “We are working in partnership with the police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to ensure that the full range of existing dog control powers are effectively applied, encourage responsible dog ownership and reduce the risk of dog attacks. We currently have no plans to add additional breed types to the banned breed list.”
The Mirror is demanding more robust sanctions as part of its Time for Action on Dangerous Dogs campaign. We want a new Jack Lis Law to end the maulings - named in honour of the boy killed in November 2021.
Labour MP Wayne David, who represents Caerphilly, said: “It is shocking that the Government has no plans to do anything at all to tackle the epidemic of dog attacks that we are seeing. It is clear that the Dangerous Dogs Act is failing and we need a radical and new approach.”
Dad-of-five Jonathan Hogg was mauled to death in May this year by a friend’s Bully XL that he was looking after in Leigh, Greater Manchester. Joanne Robinson, 43, died last July after being attacked by one of her two Bully XLs at her home in Rotherham. Her partner also suffered serious injuries as he attempted to save her. Bella-Rae Birch died at her parents’ home in St Helens in March last year.
In the Commons in June, Tory former minister Sir John Hayes said there was "no debate" needed that the Bully XL must be banned.
The Mirror is calling for an urgent review of the law on dangerous dogs and tougher penalties, as well as proper enforcement of rules to stop the illegal and irresponsible breeding and selling of dogs. We also want the Government to launch a public information campaign to promote responsible dog ownership and the need for training.
No10 has failed to make any firm commitments to tackling dangerous dogs, but Labour leader Keir Starmer has vowed a review of the Dangerous Dogs Act if he becomes PM. The Government has established a working group with the police, local authority groups and animal welfare experts to consider ways to reduce dog attacks.
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