An expert at the RSPCA has warned rescue centres will be swamped with XL bully dogs as a Government ban looms. It comes as the UK’s top vet told owners of XL bully dogs they have two weeks to make sure their pets are legal.
The dogs must be muzzled in public and it will be illegal to breed, sell or abandon them from December 31. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said on Monday (December 18) advertising, gifting and exchanging XL Bully pups will also be banned.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss warned the new legal restrictions for XL bullies are now less than a fortnight away.
She said: “Owners should read the guidance and ensure they are ready to comply with the new rules, which includes keeping your XL bully dog muzzled and on a lead in public from December 31.
“From February 1, 2024, it will also be a criminal offence to be in possession of an XL bully in England and Wales unless you have applied for an exemption. Please do not risk leaving it to the last minute if you want to keep your dog, you should apply now for a certificate of exemption.”
Ms Middlemiss said the Government recommends a precautionary approach, meaning if you are unsure if your dog is an XL bully or whether any puppies may grow up to be of the type, you should still make sure you comply with the relevant requirements and restrictions.
The full ban will be in place on February 1, with owners having just over six weeks left to apply for an exemption certificate to keep their dogs, or face potential criminal proceedings and an unlimited fine.
To qualify for an exemption certificate, owners must prove their XL bully has been neutered by June 30. If the pup is less than a year old by January 31, they must neutered by the end of 2024, and evidence must be provided.
Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, told Express.co.uk the animal charity’s XL bully ban advice website has been inundated by visitors.
She added: “We believe this indicates the deep concern and desire for clarity from pet owners over the recently-announced legislation and the need for the Government to offer as much information and support as possible at this time of great uncertainty for owners.”
The RSPCA has said there are anecdotal reports of dogs being surrendered or abandoned across the rescue sector, with fears that as the deadline for the XL bully dog ban looms, the problem will get worse.
Dr Gaines said: “While we are doing all we can to reassure owners, there remains confusion around the Government’s definition of an XL Bully.
“While it is now clearer that minimum height is a mandatory requirement for a dog to be defined as an XL Bully, there has been no guidance to help owners understand what is meant by a substantial number of the other characteristics being used to decide whether or not a dog is considered ‘type’.”
As well as neutering their animals, XL bully owners seeking an exemption must also pay an application fee, hold active public liability insurance for their pets and ensure the dogs are microchipped.
The measures were introduced after a rise in dog attacks over recent years. Until 2021 there were about three deaths a year, but there have since been 23.
Dr Gaines warned: “The ban on XL bullies not only remains devastating for so many dogs, but is also taking a heavy toll on owners, on rescue centre staff who have grown close to dogs in their care, and to veterinary teams who face the prospect of being asked to put to sleep healthy dogs whose behaviour poses no risk.
“There is a huge risk rescue centres and the veterinary profession will not be able to cope with the demands put on them by this law.
“We urgently need more information and support from the Government so we can help support owners and dogs affected by this ban, but we will also need help and support to get through this too.”
People with dangerously out of control dogs can be jailed for 14 years and banned from owning animals, and their pets can be put down.
