American Bully Dogs Have Been Banned in Two Countries

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, there are four specific breeds or types of dogs that are banned or restricted in the UK, Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Brazilian Mastiffs, and Dogo Argentinos.

Announced yesterday, American bully XLs are being added to the list of banned dogs in England and Wales, making it illegal to own one without an exemption from February 1 of 2024.

According to the BBC, the rules are as follows: From 31 December 2023 it will be against the law to sell, abandon, breed from or give away an American bully XL, or have one in public without a lead or muzzle.

If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December next year. If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June.

From January the dogs will also have to be muzzled and on a lead in public.

Related: Norway Bans Breeding of 2 Popular Dog Breeds

From 1 February 2024, it will become illegal to own an XL bully dog if it is not registered on the index of exempted dogs, and the animals will be subject to restrictions, including having to be microchipped and neutered.

Owners who don't follow these rules could face a criminal record, be fined, and their dog could be seized and possibly euthanized.

According to The Guardian, experts have reported that owners have already started asking vets to put down XL bully dogs in anticipation of the ban, because of concerns about what the restrictions may be and how they could affect things such as tenancy agreements.

Here's where this law will get tricky and why critics are saying it will never work. What exactly constitutes a XL Bully when so many dogs are of mixed breeds? An official definition of the breed has now been published by the government, which describes the dogs as having a "heavy, large and broad" head and a "blocky or slightly squared" muzzle.

It is also described the breed as "heavily-muscled" with a "large, blocky body giving impression of great power for size". The percentage of dogs that have at least some pit bull in them is enormous.

Related: Pit Bull Making 'Biscuits' on His Favorite Blankie Is So Perfect and Wholesome

Speaking to Sara Hirschfeld, Former Animal Welfare Worker and large breed dog foster about the ban, Hirschfeld told PetHelpful "A breed ban does nothing to address the larger issue which is irresponsible owners with poorly behaved dogs. A mandatory obedience class for the unruly would make much more sense. "

Facebook users are upset about the new rules. @Amy comments, "When will we ban the owners and the breeders?This happens every single decade with a different dog yet nothing changes. It’s time to tackle the problem from the root which is the people who breed and train them to make them aggressive. ANY dog can be aggressive just like any dog can be loving. Totally backwards decision yet again. I wonder which breed it will be next. The same people who have ruined this one will just move onto the next. Totally wrong decision AGAIN." Dee makes a valid point and asks, "But what is their definition of an XL bully. I saw a police officer on a news report measuring a dog with a dress makers tape saying this dog is an XL bully. Looked nothing like the pictures they show on news reports like this one."

It seems to me that it would be possible for the eventually that unscrupulous veterinarians could charge a certain amount to provide a piece of paper that reads a dog isn't an XL bully breed, even if they are.

It's a very complicated issue. I don't think you could find any bully owner who is happy when an aggressive dog attacks, or even worse, kills someone. Anyone with any common sense is appalled when someone is injured by a dog. But lumping all these dogs of a certain head size together does nothing to address the root of the problem, which is excessive breeding and poor dog ownership.

There are approximately 3,500 banned dogs living at home with their owners in the UK. In a 2016 study it showed that about 1 in three dogs are incorrectly labeled as pit bulls by experts. What happens to families who live in apartments if their landlord decides not to allow these family dogs to reside there anymore?

Dogs should not be allowed to free-roam, not only for the safety of people but also for the safety of the dog. If a dog is fearful of strangers, or in any way aggressive, it should absolutely be muzzled. Dogs should not be bred for fighting.

But laws like this only serve to punish not only bad dog owners, but those who are responsible and just happen to have a certain dog with a certain head shape. Not to mention all of the bully breeds in shelters in the UK who have a fate yet to be determined.

Samantha Gaines, a dog welfare expert with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in a statement on behalf of a coalition of animal welfare and veterinary organizations opposing the ban said something that makes absolute sense in this entire situation. “We need solutions that aren’t discriminatory — but promote responsible pet ownership” rather than banning dog breeds.

Here's a case where the UK government should absolutely listen to the experts.

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