XL bullies and like dogs

Dogs are not angels or Stepford dogs, their characters are as varied as ours and some are placid and lovely and some are just naturally bad tempered and snappy.

No-one is disputing that, but what is the answer? You can bring in all the bans you want, but the kind of people who want certain types of dog as a status symbol of whatever will just ignore them. It's already proving difficult to enforce the ban on XL Bullies, because there is no definite proof of what exactly an XL bully is.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we shouldn't be trying to tackle this issue - we absolutely should - but responsible dog owners will always comply with the law, while it's the irresponsible ones who cause the problems. Bringing in an effective form of licensing would certainly help, but that is going to cost money to set up and won't solve the problem overnight.

I have said previously some months ago, to own a firearm you have to meet certain criteria , the Police can inspect your home at any time and do a spot check on your gun cabinet and ammunition safe, you have to have a letter from your GP, a clean criminal record and a license at £198 a year or £130 for a renewal.
Your license can be revoked immediately for the slightest misdemeanour and this is exactly how it should be.

Yet anyone can buy a dog capable of killing a human.

It is wrong.

To any of the “it’s not the dog” brigade rubbish!
These dogs can kill.

yes ..these dogs have no place among humans, there have been cases where these dogs have attacked and killed in the persons home..

Whitewavemark2

The point being that most of the severe injuries/deaths lately seem to have occurred at home.

And if the breeding was banned as I thought it was, why haven’t they all died out by now?

These dogs which are in the news for attacking and killing someone are kept in what appear to be the most unsuitable conditions, small houses with tiny gardens or, in the dreadful case in Bristol recently, in a flat.

Whitewavemark2

The point being that most of the severe injuries/deaths lately seem to have occurred at home.

And if the breeding was banned as I thought it was, why haven’t they all died out by now?

Because the legislation and law pass was only Feb 2024.

Whitewavemark2

Oh - I thought it was years ago? Wonder what I’m thinking about!

Several other breeds were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991, but the ban on XL Bullies was only introduced last year.

Oh - I thought it was years ago? Wonder what I’m thinking about!

Whitewavemark2

The point being that most of the severe injuries/deaths lately seem to have occurred at home.

And if the breeding was banned as I thought it was, why haven’t they all died out by now?

The ban was only introduced last year (February 2024), so many of these dogs could live for a good number of years yet.

The point being that most of the severe injuries/deaths lately seem to have occurred at home.

And if the breeding was banned as I thought it was, why haven’t they all died out by now?

They are banned. Do you mean that every one of them, even if registered and kept in accordance with legal requirements, should pts?

Bluebell I agree 100% there have been too many people have lost their lives because of these dogs, they should be banned,

BlueBelle

I don’t really agree with you RosieandherMaw
Yes with dog behaviour in general can certainly be the owner but these dogs are bred to have the strength of a bulldozer and the jaws from hell if one of these lock on, you need a circus strongman to prise the jaw open
They should be banned completely (they are a man made breed anyway) no dog over a certain size and weight should be out without being on a leash and muzzled at all times.

I quite agree, I knew a westie that I'm sure had mental health problems and was dangerous. I think dogs can become dangerous and don't see why mental health problems wouldn't affect dogs as well as humans, horses sometimes bolt if they have brain issues.
I read about a sausage dog that killed a baby, they are hunting dogs. At least you can pick up smaller dogs if they're biting, you've no chance with an XL Bully.

My family chihuahua bit me when a child. Ive also needed hospital treatment after a labrador bite.

GrannyGravy13

I have got scars on my arm from when our family chihuahua launched itself from the arms of my mother and sunk its teeth into me and hung there!!!

I have a scars from a French bulldog, and a long haired dachshund. I was wearing corduroy trousers at the time and it was a dog that knew me living next door.
I had to throw away a lovely pair of leather boots because a Jack Russel took a shine to my foot. Thank the lord I was wearing boots.

I don’t really agree with you RosieandherMaw
Yes with dog behaviour in general can certainly be the owner but these dogs are bred to have the strength of a bulldozer and the jaws from hell if one of these lock on, you need a circus strongman to prise the jaw open
They should be banned completely (they are a man made breed anyway) no dog over a certain size and weight should be out without being on a leash and muzzled at all times.

I have got scars on my arm from when our family chihuahua launched itself from the arms of my mother and sunk its teeth into me and hung there!!!

If the dogs’ owners had had them muzzled in public, as well as on a short lead, the incidents you mention would not have occurred ilovedogs. It’s the responsibility of an owner to know their dog’s propensities and to ensure that they cause no harm to others. Most breeds can harm given the right triggers.

RosieandherMaw

Ots not the dog, *it's the owner*

Don't be so daft RosieandherMaw, it is mostly certain breeds of dogs that are unpredictable & aggressive. I have been bitten horribly by a ruddy great bull mastif & also by a blooming bully-type dog in the local park, it also had a go at my old sheepdog too! Of course other dog breeds bite but these bully-type ones cause such dreadful, life-changing injuries. 🤔

It's illegal to own an XL Bully without a certificate of exemption. It's also illegal to breed, sell, abandon, or give away an XL Bully.

However, people who already had an XL Bully before the law was changed are allowed to keep their dog, so long as they keep it muzzled and on a leash when in public. It is unfortunate that some people who own this breed of dog seem to use them as a statement symbol.

Fgs! My understanding! I need EDIT button!

Unless you’re a very experienced vet or breeder, it’s almost impossible to tell which dog is an XL Bully.

My u distancing of the law is breeding of these dogs is banned and in any public place they need to muzzled and on a lead.

I agree, most of the time it’s totally down to inexperienced poor owners.

ITS

Ots not the dog, it's the owner

They're not 'banned' as such, but you have to meet certain regulations to still be able to keep them. It's also a bit of a minefield actually proving what constitutes an XL Bully.