Mims Davies MP said:
"As a lover of dogs and dog owner myself, I fully appreciate people’s concerns and the strength of feeling about XL Bully dogs and the ban.
While I recognise that this is a sensitive issue, the Government has a responsibility to maintain public safety. XL Bully dogs are large, muscular animals which can also be unpredictable and uncontrollable, as well as highly protective to their owners and aggressive to others. There has been an increase in dog attacks in recent years, with the XL Bully disproportionately involved in this rise.
Ministers have therefore added XL Bully breed types to the list of breeds prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. I firmly believe that this will reduce the risk to the public.
New restrictions on the XL Bully dogs came into force on 1 January 2024, making it a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public. It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.
Owners who wish to legally keep their dogs have until 31 January 2024 to register their dog on the Index of Exempted dogs. They will receive a Certificate of Exemption and will need to comply with the requirements of the Index, including that all dogs on the Index must be neutered (there is a longer deadline to allow for younger dogs to be safely neutered). Owners must hold public liability insurance and ensure that it is microchipped, kept on a lead, muzzled in public, and kept in a secure place so it cannot escape. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs
Regarding breed classification, a group of experts was convened to define the physical characteristics of the breed type. This included representatives from the police, local authorities, devolved administrations and animal welfare experts. The official definition of the XL Bully breed provides clear assessment criteria for owners and enforcement authorities.It is the owner or keeper’s responsibility to identify whether their dog may be an XL Bully; owners need to check the dog’s physical characteristics against the definition. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has recommended taking a precautionary approach, and therefore, owners who are unsure if they have an XL Bully should comply with all the requirements for this dog type. The full definition can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog
The transition period for owners to apply for an exemption is open until 31st January and application forms can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-of-exemption-to-keep-an-xl-bully-dog
The Government must balance the views of those who want to repeal or amend breed specific legislation within the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 with their responsibility to ensure that the public is protected from dog attacks. Given this rise in fatalities and other attacks, Ministers have been clear that decisive action is needed, aimed specifically at the XL Bully.
Defra has worked closely with rescue and rehoming centres, and also consulted with the British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, on the implementation of the ban on XL Bully dogs and its possible impacts.I understand that Ministers and officials will continue to work closely with these sectors as the ban comes into effect."