The American bully XL dog will be prohibited, according to the prime minister, following the death of a man who was the victim of an alleged attack.
In the words of Rishi Sunak, the dog was “a danger to our communities, particularly our children” and would be outlawed before the end of the year.
The news was made following the death on Friday morning of a man who had been bitten by two dogs on Thursday in Walsall.
It was referred to as “another suspected XL bully attack” by the prime minister.
It is obvious that there are more than a few poorly behaved canines involved in this; rather, there is a pattern of behavior that cannot continue, he said.
Speaking in a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr. Sunak said he was asking police and specialists to conduct legal research to identify the breed responsible for the most recent attacks so that it might be outlawed under the English, Welsh, and Scottish law known as the Dangerous Dogs Act.
I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on solutions to stop these assaults and protect the public, even though owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, he said.
The mother of 10-year-old Jack Lis, who was killed in 2021 by an American bully XL dog, hailed the announcement.
I’m crying, Emma Whitfield posted on social media. I’m crying while sitting alone. Right now, I lack the words.
Any restriction would need to be approved by the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs. According to a government source, the department has been preparing to outlaw the kind of dog, and Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has gathered breed specialists to identify the breed.
The prime minister’s official spokeswoman said: “Clearly this breed of dog isn’t defined in law so it’s right to take the time to consider the best way to put an end to these horrendous attacks that we’re seeing.” Downing Street disputed that ministers had “dragged their heels” on a ban.
The XL is the largest variety of the American bully breed and may weigh up to nine stone (60 kg), yet the main British dog organizations, such the Kennel Club, do not recognize it.
The type has carried out a number of notorious attacks.
After an 11-year-old child was assaulted in Birmingham on Saturday by an American XL bulldog and a Staffordshire bullterrier, a 60-year-old man was detained this week.
Two males who rushed to her rescue also sustained injuries and need hospital care.
After the attack, Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced that she was seeking immediate advice on whether the breed should be outlawed.
Owners and animal rights organizations contend that a breed-specific ban is not the answer.
The Dangerous Dogs Act, according to the Dog Control Coalition, had corresponded with a “troubling increase in dog bites and fatalities” and that the strategy was ineffective.
The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 now forbids the American pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brazileiro breeds.
According to the proposed law, any breed that “appears to have been bred for fighting or to have the characteristics of a type bred for that purpose” may be outlawed.
Be the first to comment