XL Bully dogs to be made ILLEGAL confirms Sunak - but PM facing immediate hurdle to plans
Rishi Sunak (inset) with an American Bully XL
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The American Bully XL breed will be banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year, Rishi Sunak has announced.
The dog breed, which hit the headlines following several violent attacks, was described by the Prime Minister as a "danger to our communities".
However, Sunak revealed work needs to be done to define the American XL Bully dog breed ahead of any ban.
During a minute-long clip shared to social media, he said: "The American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children.
Rishi Sunak released a short clip explaining his decision on social media
PA"I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen. Yesterday, we saw another suspected XL Bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.
"It's clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs. It's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.
"While owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control. I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public.
"Today, I tasked ministers to bring together police and experts to firstly define the breed of dog behind these attacks with a view to outlawing it.
"It is not currently a breed defined in law. This is vital first to step must happen fast.
An image of an American XL BullyWiki Commons images/ Dlexus"We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year."
Sunak's decision to ban the breed comes after Home Secretary Suella Braverman threw her weight behind the move.
There have been a spate of attacks involving suspected American Bully XL dogs in recent weeks and months.
West Midlands Police arrested a 60-year-old man on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out of control after it left an 11-year-old girl and two men injured.
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Half of American Bully XL dogs in Britain have also reportedly descended from from a “killer” inbred pet from the US.
Research has identified a prolific dog from Los Angeles, known by breeders as “Killer Kimbo”, has produced a majority of American Bully XLs on this side of the Atlantic.
However, despite the high-profile attacks, XL puppies sell for over £2,500 in the UK.
Speaking to GB News ahead of Sunak's announcement, owner Jordan Shelley suggested the solution was not banning the breed.
XL puppies sell for over £2,500 in the UK, however recent high-profile attacks involving the dogs have caused many to call for the dogs to be bannedWikimedia Commons Licences“There’s lots of irresponsible owners, they are no more powerful or dangerous than any other type of large dog”, he said.
However, a YouGov poll revealed the public overwhelmingly support a ban on the dangerous breed.
Almost three-in-five Britons are in favour of outlawing the American XL Bully and just 17 per cent voiced opposition to such a move.
Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, Fila Brasileiros are already banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.