More than 35,000 Britons have been allowed to keep their XL bully dogs despite a new ban on the breed.
From today, people are banned from keeping American XL bullies unless they were granted an exemption after the dog was listed as a dangerous breed in the wake of fatal attack on humans.
Due to rising concerns over attacks and 23 deaths in the last three years, the Government decided action was needed to protect the public.
In recent weeks, shelters say that have seen a huge increase in XL bullies being handed in or abandoned ahead of the ban.
Shelters say that have seen a huge increase in XL bullies being handed in or abandoned ahead of the ban
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In total, more than 35,000 exemptions were handed out before yesterday's midday deadline.
Anne-Marie Goldhawk, from Kent, owns an XL bully. She managed to get her dog, Zilla, an exemption certificate ahead of the ban, but he must be kept on a lead and wear a muzzle in public.
She says the last few months have brought on a lot of anxiety ahead of the ban.
She said: “I think it’s wrong that they are banning the breed. I think other legislation should be put in place like ownership, who can own a dog, what kind of dog, rather than banning a certain breed.
“I’ve got two other dogs, I meet other dog walkers too and all of a sudden I can’t this dog off the lead and he’s got something on his face that he doesn’t particularly like.
“And I think it actually makes him look more threatening with the muzzle on. People will avoid and say I won’t go near that dog then.”
Campaign group, Don’t Ban Me – Licence Me have been fighting the restrictions on specific breeds. They argue that all dogs should have licences, regardless of breed and that dog owners should receive education.
Anne-Marie Goldhawk owns an XL bully and managed to get her dog, Zilla, an exemption certificate
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They said: “By ending breed-specific legislation and focusing on responsible ownership, we can create safer communities for both humans and dogs.”
Dog trainer, Nikki Groom, who runs the Kent Canine Academy in a secure dog park near Birchington says it’s highly valuable and important to be training your dog and that it’s just as much about training the human as well.
While the academy’s insurance and safety considerations have changed as the ban comes in, they can still accept XL bullies, but have to make sure the owners are compliant with the new legislation.
She added, “The general consensus within everybody really; not just XL bullies, is upset, confusion. The whole area is very grey, there’s not been a great deal of clarity from the guidelines to the implications of everything going forward.
“I think the fear is out there from the XL bully owners, they’re frightened about what’s going to happen to their dog. And those who aren’t XL bully, that don’t necessarily know if they meet the criteria or not.
“It’s only 60% of the guidelines you have to meet. So if a dog meets that 60% then they are deemed as an XL bully – so it’s a very vague area.”
The National Police Chief’s Council Leader for Dangerous Dogs, Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hoborough said: “For some time, policing has been concerned about the emergence, and continued prevalence, of large bull breed dogs (like the American XL bully and similar variants).
“These breeds account for a significant number of all dogs seized by police and they continue to be disproportionately represented in the serious and fatal dog attack figures.
Meanwhile, in Scotland new restrictions on XL bully dogs are being introduced in Scotland from 23 February.
It will be legal to own one of the dogs, but they must be muzzled and on a lead in public. Selling or exchanging them will be banned.
From 31 July it will be an offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.
The breeding, abandonment and selling of the animals will be outlawed under measures announced by Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown.
She said: “These new rules are intended to prevent risks to public safety and animal welfare and keep our communities safe.
“The second stage of legal safeguards will provide owners seeking an exemption an appropriate length of time to decide how to prepare for the forthcoming change in law ahead of 31 July deadline.
Brown added that most dog owners were “responsible animal lovers.
Penalties for breaching the new rules are up to six months imprisonment and or a fine up to £5,000.
The minister outlined the restrictions in a letter to Holyrood’s criminal justice committee.