On 15 September the Prime Minister announced plans to ban American Bully XLs in the UK.
From 31 December 2023 it will be against the law to:
- sell an XL Bully dog
- abandon an XL Bully dog
- give away an XL Bully dog
- breed from an XL Bully dog
- have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle.
From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for your dog.
We know that this Government announcement will be very unsettling for many, and we will support American Bully XLs and their owners as best we can over the coming months.
What is an American Bully XL, and how do I know if I own one?
The Government have now released an official definition of an XL Bully dog to identify if your dog may be an XL Bully. This involves checking the dog’s physical characteristics such as its size and height.
This is new guidance and more details can be found on the Government website.
Is it illegal for me to own an American Bully XL, and what should I do if I own one?
From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for your dog.
You will have until 31 January 2024 to apply for this exemption.
To keep an XL Bully dog you must ensure it is:
- microchipped
- kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public
- kept in a secure place so it cannot escape.
You will also need to neuter your dog. If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024. We recommend that you arrange for your dog to be neutered as soon as possible to ensure that you meet these deadlines.
As the owner, you must also:
- be over 16 years old
- take out insurance against your dog injuring other people - this is provided through Dogs Trust Membership
- be able to show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days.
On 14 November the Government published guidance for owners wishing to seek a Certificate of Exemption for their dog. This includes a form that owners will need to complete online by 31 January 2024 or via post by 15 January 2024.
You can find out more applying for a Certificate of Exemption on the Government website.
If you own an American Bully XL type dog, we recommend you start preparing by making sure your dog is neutered, microchipped, and trained to wear a muzzle.
Free class to support American Bully XL owners
To support American Bully XL owners we are providing a free one-hour class. In this class we will cover how to select the right muzzle for your dog and how to successfully train them to wear it comfortably. We will also cover some essential skills such as lead walking and polite greetings with people, to help you successfully manage your dog in various situations. Our expert trainers will also provide some advice on supporting your dog behaviourally post neuter.
Book our American Bully XL owner support class
What type of muzzle does Battersea recommend for an American Bully XL?
We recommend using a basket type muzzle as these allow you to feed your dog treats while they are wearing it. A basket muzzle will also allow your dog to pant and drink freely. The most important thing is to make sure that any muzzle you buy fits your dog correctly – with a basket muzzle there should be a small space between their nose and the end of the muzzle so it is not uncomfortable to wear.
You will usually need a width measurement (looking to measure around the widest part of the dogs nose) & Length (looking to measure the distance from just below the eyes, to make sure there is a small gap between the eyes and the start of the muzzle, to the tip of the nose). Ideally you will want to use a piece of string or something similar to get this measurement so as not to scare your dog whilst taking the measurements. You can then follow our video on how to train your dog to wear a muzzle.
How can I get my dog exempted?
From 1 February 2024 you must have a valid Certificate of Exemption to own an XL Bully dog in England or Wales. On 14 November the Government published guidance for owners wishing to seek a Certificate of Exemption for their dog. This includes a form that owners will need to complete online by 31 January 2024 or via post by 15 January 2024. Details of the application process can be found on the Government website.
What is Battersea’s view on the proposed ban?
The biggest priority for everyone involved is to protect the public - but banning the breed will sadly not stop dog bite incidents recurring.
Unfortunately, history has shown breed bans to be ineffective at tackling dog bites. Since the introduction of the Act that bans certain breeds dog bite incidents have risen significantly. NHS Data shows hospital admissions for dog bites and strikes in England have increased from 3,377 in 2000-01 to 8,758 in 2021-22, an increase of 159%. That’s despite four types of dog already being on the banned breeds list.
We need the UK Government to deal more effectively with owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control and pose a risk. We also need action against breeders who are using these dogs for profit.
There needs to be more effective enforcement and early interventions - which bring dogs to the attention of law enforcement earlier if there is concern about their behaviour before it escalates. We also need to work with people to identify and prevent incidents from happening but, in addition to tough sentences to punish and deter those who use dogs to harm other people.
The law shouldn't focus on certain types of dogs - but instead deal with aggression in all dogs with the response tailored on a case-by-case basis. Only then can we properly protect the public from aggressive behaviour in all dogs.
Members of the Dog Control Coalition all agree we cannot and should not keep adding dogs to the banned list as a sticking plaster solution, rather than dealing with the root causes. We instead need fundamental change to the law on dogs acting dangerously to protect the public now and in the future.
