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| XL bully ban: Police chief warns of challenges in enforcing law | XL bully ban: Police chief warns of challenges in enforcing law |
| (4 months later) | |
| XL bully Duke is muzzled by his owner last month ahead of the ban | XL bully Duke is muzzled by his owner last month ahead of the ban |
| XL bully Duke is muzzled by his owner last month ahead of the ban | XL bully Duke is muzzled by his owner last month ahead of the ban |
| A police chief has warned the XL bully dog ban, which began overnight, poses "logistical challenges" for officers. | A police chief has warned the XL bully dog ban, which began overnight, poses "logistical challenges" for officers. |
| Mark Hobrough, from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), said the ban could spark higher demand for kennel space before court decisions. | Mark Hobrough, from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), said the ban could spark higher demand for kennel space before court decisions. |
| An expert on dangerous dogs fears the ban will also compound an existing shortage of trained officers. | An expert on dangerous dogs fears the ban will also compound an existing shortage of trained officers. |
| The government says police will be supported and officers given extra training to identify XL bullies. | The government says police will be supported and officers given extra training to identify XL bullies. |
| New laws banning the breed in England and Wales take effect from Thursday. | New laws banning the breed in England and Wales take effect from Thursday. |
| For some months, owners have been able to apply for an exemption certificate if they can prove their dog had been neutered before a specific date. | For some months, owners have been able to apply for an exemption certificate if they can prove their dog had been neutered before a specific date. |
| They were also required to pay an application fee, hold liability insurance for their dog, and ensure it was microchipped. | They were also required to pay an application fee, hold liability insurance for their dog, and ensure it was microchipped. |
| More than 35,000 dogs are now registered for exemption but those owners without could face a criminal record and unlimited fine. | More than 35,000 dogs are now registered for exemption but those owners without could face a criminal record and unlimited fine. |
| How does the American XL bully ban work? | How does the American XL bully ban work? |
| How does the American XL bully ban work? | How does the American XL bully ban work? |
| XL bully owner takes to private land as ban hits | XL bully owner takes to private land as ban hits |
| XL bully owner takes to private land as ban hits | XL bully owner takes to private land as ban hits |
| The RSPCA has said tens of thousands of XL bullies may not have certificates with the estimated total in the UK ranging from 50,000 to 100,000. | The RSPCA has said tens of thousands of XL bullies may not have certificates with the estimated total in the UK ranging from 50,000 to 100,000. |
| XL bullies that are seized under the new law will be taken to kennels before a court decides they should either be destroyed or deemed safe. | XL bullies that are seized under the new law will be taken to kennels before a court decides they should either be destroyed or deemed safe. |
| Mr Hobrough, an assistant chief constable, said police forces were "actively looking to enhance" the numbers kennels can hold to cope with expected higher demand and "logistical challenges" for officers. | Mr Hobrough, an assistant chief constable, said police forces were "actively looking to enhance" the numbers kennels can hold to cope with expected higher demand and "logistical challenges" for officers. |
| The government said ministers met police chiefs this week to discuss their preparations. | The government said ministers met police chiefs this week to discuss their preparations. |
| 'Something will have to give' | 'Something will have to give' |
| Debbie Connolly, a dog behaviourist who acts as an expert witness in dangerous dog court cases, said she feared the ban would be difficult to enforce. | Debbie Connolly, a dog behaviourist who acts as an expert witness in dangerous dog court cases, said she feared the ban would be difficult to enforce. |
| She said it would "compound" the existing problems caused by the small numbers of officers trained specifically on dog legislation, and a lack of kennel space. | She said it would "compound" the existing problems caused by the small numbers of officers trained specifically on dog legislation, and a lack of kennel space. |
| "If officers are now told to go out and look for unmuzzled XL bullies, something will have to give," Ms Connolly told the BBC. | "If officers are now told to go out and look for unmuzzled XL bullies, something will have to give," Ms Connolly told the BBC. |
| There are 137 dog legislation officers across the country, with at least one in every force. | There are 137 dog legislation officers across the country, with at least one in every force. |
| The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which is responsible for animal welfare, said these officers will be given extra training to help successfully identify the XL bully breed. | The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which is responsible for animal welfare, said these officers will be given extra training to help successfully identify the XL bully breed. |
| Ms Connolly said there had been an "endless influx" of people asking her training firm SafePets UK, for help over the last two or three weeks. | Ms Connolly said there had been an "endless influx" of people asking her training firm SafePets UK, for help over the last two or three weeks. |
| She said "hundreds" of pictures of dogs have been sent in and "the worrying part is a good 90% of them we didn't think were XL dogs". | She said "hundreds" of pictures of dogs have been sent in and "the worrying part is a good 90% of them we didn't think were XL dogs". |
| Certain criteria have to be met for a dog to be classed as an XL bully | Certain criteria have to be met for a dog to be classed as an XL bully |
| Certain criteria have to be met for a dog to be classed as an XL bully | Certain criteria have to be met for a dog to be classed as an XL bully |
| "You have to wonder how many of the dogs exempted are actually XL bullies," Ms Connolly said. | "You have to wonder how many of the dogs exempted are actually XL bullies," Ms Connolly said. |
| Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, from the British Veterinary Association, said the ban would not work as "all dogs that are not well-trained, well-kept and well-socialised have the ability to be aggressive". | Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, from the British Veterinary Association, said the ban would not work as "all dogs that are not well-trained, well-kept and well-socialised have the ability to be aggressive". |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she reiterated calls for more resources and trained officers for the police. | Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she reiterated calls for more resources and trained officers for the police. |
| "A lot of the really awful fatal attacks have actually been in people's houses," Dr Mullineaux added. | "A lot of the really awful fatal attacks have actually been in people's houses," Dr Mullineaux added. |
| "What's happening today will not stop those because dogs won't be muzzled in people's houses." | "What's happening today will not stop those because dogs won't be muzzled in people's houses." |
| Radio presenter DJ Spoony, whose Xl bully dog Prince is nearly two years old, said he was sceptical at how effective the ban would be, adding he would prefer a licence system to ensure owners of all dog breeds did not mistreat them. | Radio presenter DJ Spoony, whose Xl bully dog Prince is nearly two years old, said he was sceptical at how effective the ban would be, adding he would prefer a licence system to ensure owners of all dog breeds did not mistreat them. |
| DJ Spoony, pictured with his dog Prince before the ban took effect, questions how effective it will be | DJ Spoony, pictured with his dog Prince before the ban took effect, questions how effective it will be |
| DJ Spoony, pictured with his dog Prince before the ban took effect, questions how effective it will be | DJ Spoony, pictured with his dog Prince before the ban took effect, questions how effective it will be |
| "Just to keep banning a particular breed is like kicking the problem down the road," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. | "Just to keep banning a particular breed is like kicking the problem down the road," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. |
| "It's always going to come back to responsible owners. And as long as there are irresponsible owners, there will always be dog attacks." | "It's always going to come back to responsible owners. And as long as there are irresponsible owners, there will always be dog attacks." |
| Mr Hobrough, from the NPCC, said illegal XL bully owners must comply with officers as their behaviour may influence how the court decides the case. | Mr Hobrough, from the NPCC, said illegal XL bully owners must comply with officers as their behaviour may influence how the court decides the case. |
| Courts look at whether both dogs and owners are aggressive and would have "no option but to destroy the dog" if either wasn't complied with, he said. | Courts look at whether both dogs and owners are aggressive and would have "no option but to destroy the dog" if either wasn't complied with, he said. |
| Officers who are met with resistance would take "proportionate action with minimum use of force" to seize dogs, Mr Hobrough added. | Officers who are met with resistance would take "proportionate action with minimum use of force" to seize dogs, Mr Hobrough added. |
| The government banned the XL bully after a rise in fatal dog attacks. | The government banned the XL bully after a rise in fatal dog attacks. |
| Before 2021 there were about three dog attack deaths per year but there have been 23 since, with the XL bully "disproportionately involved". | Before 2021 there were about three dog attack deaths per year but there have been 23 since, with the XL bully "disproportionately involved". |
| In September, Ian Price died after being attacked by two suspected American XL bully dogs in Stonnall, near Walsall, while Jack Lis, a 10-year-old boy, was killed by an American XL bully in Caerphilly in 2021. | In September, Ian Price died after being attacked by two suspected American XL bully dogs in Stonnall, near Walsall, while Jack Lis, a 10-year-old boy, was killed by an American XL bully in Caerphilly in 2021. |
| Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: "We have delivered our pledge to bring in this important measure to protect public safety, and we expect all XL bully owners to comply with the strict conditions." | Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: "We have delivered our pledge to bring in this important measure to protect public safety, and we expect all XL bully owners to comply with the strict conditions." |
| XL bully owners and victims speak out over ban | XL bully owners and victims speak out over ban |
| XL bully owners and victims speak out over ban | XL bully owners and victims speak out over ban |
| American XL bully safeguards confirmed for Scotland | American XL bully safeguards confirmed for Scotland |
| American XL bully safeguards confirmed for Scotland | American XL bully safeguards confirmed for Scotland |
| Restrictions on XL bully dogs were announced on Wednesday for Scotland and will start to take effect from 23 February with exemption certificates needed from 31 July. | Restrictions on XL bully dogs were announced on Wednesday for Scotland and will start to take effect from 23 February with exemption certificates needed from 31 July. |
| A decision on whether to ban the dogs in Northern Ireland is expected shortly. | A decision on whether to ban the dogs in Northern Ireland is expected shortly. |
| XL bullies registered as exempt must be microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled in public and be neutered to comply with the exemption rules. | XL bullies registered as exempt must be microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled in public and be neutered to comply with the exemption rules. |
| Owners who have missed the 31 January registration deadline are encouraged to contact their local police force if they think their dog is an XL bully. | Owners who have missed the 31 January registration deadline are encouraged to contact their local police force if they think their dog is an XL bully. |
| Related topics | |
| Dog attacks | Dog attacks |
| XL bully | XL bully |