The RSPCA has alerted owners of American XL Bullies that they may violate new laws prohibiting these dogs. In England and Wales, starting February 1, the police have the authority to confiscate these dogs. In addition, the owners may face legal consequences, including a criminal record and an undefined fine. The RSPCA encourages owners to register their dogs for exemption certificates or consider euthanasia.
How many XL Bully dogs have been registered in the UK?
Over 30,000 XL Bullies have officially been registered in the United Kingdom. The real number, however, is believed to be significantly higher — as per BBC. The final date for owners to request an exemption certificate online is set for noon on January 31.
Those who opt against keeping their dogs must bring them to a licensed vet for euthanasia. The U.K.’s leading veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, has strongly advised against last-minute decisions, urging owners to act responsibly.
According to government statistics, XL Bullies have been disproportionately implicated in the alarming increase in fatal dog attacks. In September, Ian Price was fatally attacked by two suspected American Bully XL dogs in Stonnall, near Walsall. Additionally, a 10-year-old boy named Jack Lis lost his life to an American XL Bully in Caerphilly in 2021.
Despite this, Dr. Sam Gaines, a dog welfare expert representing the RSPCA, has expressed the organization’s desire to keep the breed off the banned list.
How many XL Bully dogs remain unregistered?
Veterinary experts estimate the number of unregistered XL Bully dogs in the U.K. to be 40,000 to 50,000. Some even speculate the figure may be as high as 100,000.
“There are definitely going to be owners of XL Bullies who will have not gone through the exemption process and obviously that is a concern,” Dr. Gaines stated. The urgency now is to prioritize resources on individuals who maliciously own dogs as a tool for threatening and intimidating others.
