U.K. Government Proposing Ban on “American XL Bully” Breed of Dog
In response to a series of attacks attributed to the breed, the U.K. government is proposing a ban on the ownership of American XL Bully dogs. The ban would make it illegal to own, breed, gift, or sell an XL Bully, and authorities would have the power to confiscate these dogs. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has referred to the breed as a danger to communities, announcing that the ban would take effect by the end of the year.
The American XL Bully would be added to the list of banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, alongside the Pitbull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino, and fila Brasileiro. However, one challenge in implementing the ban is that the U.K.’s Kennel Club does not officially recognize the American XL Bully breed, making it necessary to define the breed in specific terms.
To address this issue, the government plans to establish a group of experts consisting of police officers, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare stakeholders. Their primary task will be to define the breed and provide guidelines for responsible ownership. A Chief Veterinary Officer has reassured owners that those who register their XL Bully dogs and comply with the strict guidelines will be allowed to keep their pets.
While some groups have called for the ban, others have spoken out against it. Veterinary groups and international animal welfare organizations argue that breed-specific bans do not address the underlying issues of irresponsible ownership and unscrupulous breeders. They advocate for alternative measures such as education, responsible ownership, and breed-neutral dangerous dog laws.
In the U.S., breed restrictions are not uncommon, but efforts to fight against them are led by organizations like the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Several states have recently passed legislation prohibiting local governments from enforcing breed-specific policies and banning breed restrictions within insurance coverage and public housing. Additionally, a federal bill has been introduced to prevent breed restrictions on pets in public housing. Experts in the U.S. hope to continue opposing breed-specific bans at all levels of government, as the overall trend is moving away from such policies in favor of more comprehensive approaches.
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