American Bully

I think the problem has arisen as the dogs have become a status symbol and are often bought by people who will not bother going to training classes and so the owner has no idea how to control t he poor dog.

westendgirl

I think the problem has arisen as the dogs have become a status symbol and are often bought by people who will not bother going to training classes and so the owner has no idea how to control t he poor dog.

Couldn't agree more. Sadly, they have become quite a 'trendy' breed with some celebrities, so now people are jumping onto that bandwagon and have no idea what they are letting themselves in for. They don't have the slightest clue how to train these dogs properly or control them. And worst of all, they don't really care either...

Thankfully I don’t know anyone who would be so irresponsible as to acquire one of these dogs. I agree that they are seen as a status symbol by some, for all the wrong reasons.

Agreed .*GSM*. I despair at the mentality of someone who even thinks that acquiring one of these (borderline legal) breeds is a good idea.

They are illegal to own here. I am glad.

They are such big, heavy muscular dogs I wonder if it is even possible to physically control them if the need arises. I was walking in a remote area of the Lake District with my son’s dog a few days ago. I passed a group of people in a picnic area with 2 of these dogs and I felt nervous when I could see that one was bounding around off the lead. It was the first time I’d seen one in the flesh and I was taken aback by their appearance. I can’t comprehend why anyone would want to own one and have it alongside their children.

What also annoys me is that it seems to be a fairly common practice to crop these poor dogs' ears as well - all in the name of fashion. Poor animals.

Yes Blondiescot the ear cropping practice is vile.

I don’t know anyone that would want to own one of these dogs. I do know quite a bit about them though. They have taken off, because of their size and musculature they are much favoured by drug dealers and criminal types. They were changing hands for £4000 each. This leads to the usual problem of people jumping on the bandwagon and trying to get rich quick. Eventually there’s a surplus of the ‘breed’ and dogs being sold on cheap. The type of person that wants one of these dogs, especially if it’s going free or for a small amount isn’t in the slightest bit interested in any form of training or legal requirements. Talk of dog licences etc will solve nothing. These dogs have cropped ears. It’s illegal in the uk but nothing is done so why does anyone think that having a dog licence would achieve anything?

These animals are over bred, ill treated and will continue to cause serious harm to children and adults until something is done but let’s face it nothing will be done.

Another horrifying attack by an American Bully

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66770328.amp

nanna8

They are illegal to own here. I am glad.

I wish they were illegal here too nanna8. They certainly should be. I don’t own a dog but I have many family members who do. My daughter has a gorgeous and most gentle natured white Labrador, and one son has a Coton de Tulear, a tiny, white French breed, a bit like a Scottie dog. Neither dog has ever even bared it’s teeth at a person, including my daughter’s tiny, newborn twins.
These XL dogs are extremely dangerous. Why are our politicians so disinterested in what’s happening on our streets? Every last one should be put to sleep in my opinion!

We have to let politicians know how we feel about this.

I will start by signing this petition and then pass it on to friends and family:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/642809
Then I will write to my MP and send him a link to this thread!

I have watched the video footage of the latest attack on a young girl and two men - it is horrific!

The dog is clearly intent on 'killing' one particular man.

Signed but doubt anything will be done until the situation gets much worse.

They should be taken out of circulation completely they are so dangerous my DD knows of a family who bought one as a puppy they had no intention of under going proper training they wanted a status symbol apparently,the breeder was taking weekly payments for the dog from the family's benefits it had to be returned to the breeder as the dog was turning nasty after 6 weeks they are still paying for the cost of the dog,what is wrong with these people.

Just checked the DM who always covers these incidents, and it seems Suella Braverman has vowed to have them banned.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12503275/Suella-Braverman-ban-American-XL-Bully-breed-dog-mauled-girl.html

There was an interesting discussion on Radio 4 Today programme this morning between two experts on dog behaviour. One stated that ‘Bully’ dogs DNA is different and such animals can be trained to kill. If he is correct they should be banned.

With so much publicity now regarding these types of dogs and how dangerous they are you would hope that at least some people would think twice about bringing one into their home. Recently while driving I saw a man taking one for a walk, it was pulling him along and I don't think he would stand a chance in holding the dog back if it went for someone it was so large. I have signed the petition.

There was an interesting documentary a few months ago about these type of dogs and how breeders worked.

I've just looked and I think it was out in January. Panorama: Dogs, dealers and organised crime.

Germanshepherdsmum

Thankfully I don’t know anyone who would be so irresponsible as to acquire one of these dogs. I agree that they are seen as a status symbol by some, for all the wrong reasons.

In a pet shop recently I saw a young mum with a toddler and an American Bully pup. I hope they’re all still safe.

I was also given a card by a Bully owner who was setting up a dog sitting business. I’ll avoid.

"The American Bully is a uniquely dangerous breed of dog. Originating from selected breeding of fight-winning (already banned) American Pit Bull Terriers in the late 80s and early 90s, and intensive inbreeding for greater sizes and strength, the American Bully was imported to the UK in 2018. Due to a legal loophole, and despite the breed consisting of inbreeding of already banned breeds, the American Bully was deemed legal to own, sell, and mate.

The effects of this have been tragic. Since 2021, the American Bully has been responsible for over 70 per cent of all dog-related deaths in the UK. In 2022, the breed was responsible for the highest number of deaths to dogs in the UK since records began. Considering that these dogs are less than 1 per cent of the dog population, these stunning figures mean the American Bully is 270 times more deadly than the rest of the dog population."

Article in the "i" by Dr Lawrence Newport, who has studied the American Bully, and says the breed, not the owner, is the problem

inews.co.uk/opinion/american-bully-studied-years-breed-not-owner-problem-2607849

Listening to someone on the radio talking about them in (I think it was Spain) and they explain that they have to have a license the person owning one has to go through a series of tests of ownership they have to wear a muzzle at all times in public and be on a short lead if they are found to being a nuisance the police will interview and fine the owner very heavily it sounder very very much stricter than here when any Tom dick and Harry can own them.