New XL bully crackdown comes into power after spate of assaults as authorities ban looms

Get the free Morning Headlines e mail for information from our reporters the world over

Signal as much as our free Morning Headlines e mail

XL bully canines should be stored on a lead and muzzled in public below new restrictions, amid fears amongst animal welfare teams {that a} looming ban on the breed will overwhelm vets and rescue centres.

Breeding, promoting or abandoning the canines has additionally turn out to be unlawful as of Sunday, with homeowners being urged to use for a certificates of exemption for present pets earlier than the 31 January deadline.

From 1 February, it is going to be a felony offence to personal an XL bully canine in England and Wales and not using a certificates.

It comes after The Impartial revealed that deadly canine assaults have surged to a document excessive within the final two years as campaigners, victims’ households and animal charities warn adjustments to the regulation don’t go far sufficient.

There have been 16 deaths by canine bites recorded to this point this yr, greater than double the six fatalities in 2022. Between 1991 and 2021, the quantity by no means went above 5, in accordance with information from the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics.

The general variety of canine assaults has additionally soared. Figures obtained by The Impartial from police forces in England and Wales present there was an nearly 60 per cent rise within the final 5 years.

On the brand new ban, surroundings secretary Steve Barclay stated the federal government had met its pledge to take “fast and decisive motion” following a collection of assaults, with one man dying after being savaged by one of many canines earlier this yr.

However the RSPCA stated banning the breed was “not the reply” and warned of a “big danger” that rescue centres and vets shall be unable to manage.

Dr Samantha Gaines, canine welfare knowledgeable on the charity, stated: “The ban on XL bullies not solely stays devastating for thus many canines however can be taking a heavy toll on homeowners, on rescue centre employees who’ve grown near canines of their care, and on veterinary groups who face the prospect of being requested to place to sleep wholesome canines whose behaviour poses no danger.

“There’s a big danger that rescue centres and the veterinary occupation will be unable to deal with the calls for placed on them by this regulation.

“We urgently want extra info and help from the UK authorities in order that we might help help homeowners and canines affected by this ban however we can even need assistance and help to get by way of this too.”

In the meantime, the Affiliation of Canines and Cats Houses (ADCH) warned of elevated abandonment charges and stated the brand new guidelines might result in a “postcode lottery” for vets having the ability to assist homeowners meet the phrases.

To qualify for an exemption certificates, homeowners should show their XL bully has been neutered by 30 June.

If the pup is lower than a yr outdated by 31 January, it should be neutered by the top of 2024, and proof should be supplied.

In addition to neutering their animals, XL bully homeowners searching for an exemption should additionally pay an utility price, maintain energetic public legal responsibility insurance coverage for his or her pets, and make sure the canines are microchipped.

The Division for Atmosphere, Meals and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated a “staggered strategy” had been taken to the restrictions as a way to safely handle the present inhabitants of XL bully canines whereas in the end banning the breed.

The canines had been added to the Harmful Canines Act on 31 October, giving homeowners two months to arrange for the primary stage of restrictions.

Individuals with dangerously out-of-control canines may be jailed for 14 years and banned from proudly owning animals, and their pets may be put down.

Mr Barclay stated: “The prime minister pledged to take fast and decisive motion to guard the general public from devastating canine assaults with measures in place by the top of 2023. We now have met that pledge – it’s now a authorized requirement for XL bully canines to be muzzled and on a lead in public. Additionally it is now unlawful to breed, promote, promote, reward, change, abandon or let XL bully canines stray.

“All XL bully homeowners are anticipated to adjust to the regulation and we are going to proceed to work carefully with the police, canine and veterinary consultants, and animal welfare teams, with additional restrictions on XL bully canines coming into power on 1 February.”