American XL bullies (or bulldogs) could be set to join a list of dog breeds banned within the United Kingdom following a string of attacks in the country, including a highly publicised incident in Birmingham when two men and an 11 year-old girl were injured.
Other recent attacks include 22 pregnant sheep being mauled to death and the tragic deaths of Jack Lis, aged 10, and Bella-Rae Birch, aged 17 months, all within the last two years.
What Is The Law Regarding Banned Breeds?
In accordance with the Dangerous Dog Act 1991, should American XL bullies be added to the list of banned breeds, individuals would be prevented from owning, breeding, selling, gifting or abandoning such dogs, unless they can apply for an exemption to demonstrate that they are sufficiently well-behaved. The Act was put into place to ban any dog which is seen to be dangerously out of control and it also impacts any cross-breeds.
The list is currently limited to American Pitbull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos and Fila Brazileiros, due to their violent/aggressive natures, with pitbulls currently topping the list for the highest number of fatal attacks within the United Kingdom.
If a person is found to have a banned breed and it is found to a danger to the public, the dog may be at risk of being put down and the owner may face up to six months in prison or an unlimited fine.
Why Are American XL Bullies So Dangerous and Should They Be Banned?
Whilst the American Bully Kennel Club describe the breed as “extremely friendly with strangers” and “great with kids”, it has been found that the breed has caused 50% of all fatal dog attacks in 2021, 60% in 2022 and 4 out of 6 in 2023 to date.
Statistics also indicate that one dog is killed by an XL Bully every week, with their strong jaws, height and weight making them particularly dangerous, as they are typically over 20 inches high and weigh over 120lbs.
Sceptics however believe that the breed itself is not inherently dangerous and the main issue is that owners of XL Bulldogs can fail to train their pets appropriately, either due to a lack of discipline or following issues arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, including an inability to socialise with other dogs and puppy training classes being closed during this period.
In addition, some may view their animal as a weapon, as an accessory, as a sign of status or as a form of income by excessively breeding them, leading to neglect or encouraging violent behaviours, which can then pose a risk to the public.
Others also argue that the rise in dog attacks coincides with the increase in dog ownership within the United Kingdom, with the PDSA advising that there has been a 15% surge between 2018 and 2022, which is likely to have stemmed from the introduction of flexible working and the COVID-19 pandemic when owners spent more time within their households.
Debbie Connolly, a Court expert witness, has informed Sky News that it would be near possible to ban American XL Bulldogs as they are not a specific breed but are instead a “bigger and stronger” version of the pitbull, which do not have any specific DNA identification.
Ms. Connolly has stated that this would lead to police having to review each dog’s individual characteristics to consider if it would be classified as an “XL Bully” and fall under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which would of course lead to ambiguity and a difference in opinion, resulting in expensive and lengthy Court litigation to solely address this issue.
As an alternative to a blanket ban on the breed, some call for licences to become mandatory for dog ownership to ensure that owners are responsible and to emphasise thorough training of their pet.
What Can I Do If I Have Been Attacked By A Dog?
If you have unfortunately become a victim of a dog attack, we would recommend reporting your injury to the police as soon as possible to prevent others becoming injured.
If the dog is classified as “beyond control”, the police may seek authorisation for the dog to be destroyed or alternatively recommend that owners incorporate preventative measures such as muzzles, letterbox covers, a training course or cages.
In addition, a victim of a dog attack may be able to make an application to the government for a compensation award via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority scheme, which has been set up to reimburse victims of violent crimes, although this is limited to instances where the dog has specifically been used as a weapon.
Alternatively, you may wish to submit a claim against the dog owners and their insurers directly, which is not as strict in terms of qualification or awards.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you have any questions or concerns regarding a dog in your area or wish to submit a claim for compensation, please get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation with our Public Liability team.
Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
Sources:
Dog attack: New CCTV footage shows bully XL dog injure girl, 11, and two men in Birmingham | ITV News Central
Cockapoo owner whose pup lost eye in Bully XL attack calls for dangerous dog ban | The Independent
Over 77,000 dog attacks recorded by police since 2019, exclusive data reveals – Channel 4 News
XL bully dogs: Why adding the controversial breed to the Dangerous Dogs Act may not work | UK News | Sky News
Mum of boy killed by American bully XL dog wants action – BBC News
Which dogs are banned in the UK? Illegal breeds and Dangerous Dogs Act explained | Daily Mail Online
Dog attacks: 34% increase recorded by police in England and Wales – BBC News
Fatal American Bully XL attacks in UK MAPPED as pressure to ban breed intensifies | UK | News | Express.co.uk
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