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Recent data reveals that dog attacks have surged in the initial five months following the implementation of a ban on the XL bully breed in the UK. This information, sourced from The Independent, comes as law enforcement officials caution that the legislation will not yield immediate results in curbing such incidents.
The regulation, part of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, was enacted on February 1 of this year, making it illegal to own an XL bully without obtaining a certificate of exemption.
This decision by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak followed a spike in attacks associated with the breed, including the fatal mauling of a man in the West Midlands.
Despite the government’s intentions, the ban met with resistance from animal advocacy organizations like the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, which argued that prohibiting the XL bully would not effectively prevent dog attacks and criticized the lack of robust data supporting the government’s decision.
On Wednesday, Chief Constable Mark Harborough noted that the National Police Chiefs’ Council had not yet uncovered evidence indicating a decline in dog attacks, as comprehensive official statistics remain pending.
Patrick O’Hara, who manages dangerous dog policy for the NPCC, stated that no police forces have reported a decrease in incidents and indicated that many departments are increasing personnel to address the rising demand for managing dangerous canines.
Officials expect the population of XL bullies to diminish over time, but they cautioned that this change will not occur immediately; rather, it will require several years to manifest as it aligns with the lifespan of the dogs.
In August, data from The Independent highlighted a nine percent rise in recorded incidents of uncontrolled dogs inflicting injuries on people or guide dogs during the period following the ban.
From February 1 to the present, police recorded 6,392 dog attacks in England and Wales, an increase from 5,888 attacks in the same timeframe last year. This information is drawn from 27 police forces that responded to a freedom of information inquiry.
Additionally, there have been at least seven fatal dog attacks since the ban was enacted, including the tragic death of Esther Martin, who was killed by two XL bullies in Essex. The owner of one of the dogs, Ashley Warren, is facing charges for being in control of a dog that caused fatal injuries.
This August, David Daintree died after his XL bully turned on him, and Nicholas Glass was found deceased in a relative’s garden following an attack by four dogs, two of which were XL bullies.
Sophie Coulthard, an owner of an XL bully, argues that the statistics demonstrate that focusing solely on breed bans fails to address the issue of dog attacks. Last year, she received approval for a High Court challenge against the government’s prohibition.
Coulthard stated, “The Prime Minister claimed that public safety was paramount, yet the evidence suggests that this ban has not fulfilled that promise.”
She characterized the move as a reactionary decision and believes that comprehensive reforms and enhanced legislation could have achieved better results, arguing that the data now supports their position.
Coulthard also pointed out that the rise in dog ownership during the pandemic—11 million in 2023 compared to 9.6 million in 2021, according to the PDSA—has led to irresponsible breeding practices, contributing to the increased frequency of attacks.
Furthermore, she contended that XL bullies had been unduly singled out in media reports about dog attacks, while similar incidents involving other breeds did not receive equivalent attention.
Ms. Coulthard criticized the ban as a politically motivated effort by the government to gain public favor during challenging times, noting that it has failed to provide the anticipated solutions. She advocates for stricter breeding regulations to ensure responsible ownership and animal welfare.
Both Dogs Trust and the RSPCA are part of the Dog Control Coalition, which strongly opposed the ban on XL bullies.
This coalition included representatives on a working group set up by Defra intended to address dog bite incidents and foster responsible pet ownership; however, the findings from that group, finalized in July 2023, have not yet been made public.
A spokesperson for Dogs Trust articulated that they do not view breed-specific bans as effective or sustainable measures for ensuring public safety.
“Legislation targeting specific breeds has failed to achieve its intended goals. It hasn’t resulted in a decrease in hospital admissions for dog bites, nor has it enhanced public safety or reduced the prevalence of the targeted breeds,” the spokesperson stated.
The coalition emphasized the need for an urgent legislative review by the Labour party, asserting that breed bans lead to unnecessary suffering and the euthanasia of many dogs. In light of the XL bully prohibition, authorities indicated that 848 dogs were surrendered and euthanized without assessing their actual danger, incurring a cost of £340,000 in veterinary expenses.
The NPCC estimates the initial year of the XL bully ban could impose costs of approximately £25 million on police due to vet and kennel fees alone.
Dr. Samantha Gaines, an expert in dog welfare at the RSPCA, expressed to The Independent that she was not surprised by the uptick in attacks and called for a transformative approach from the new Labour government regarding public safety.
She stated, “This current policy is ineffective, as demonstrated by these statistics, and requires a complete reevaluation to better safeguard public safety and improve canine welfare.”
Dr. Gaines advocated for addressing the fundamental causes of aggressive behavior in dogs, which encompass better enforcement of existing breeding and dog control regulations and promoting responsible pet ownership, to effectively ensure public safety while enhancing animal welfare.
Conversely, some supporters of the XL bully ban believe it is making an impact.
The Centre for Evidence-Based Regulation of Dangerous Dogs (CEBRDD) claimed in August that the XL bully breed accounted for a higher proportion of attacks than any other breed in 2023.
A spokesperson for CEBRDD asserted that the ban has effectively halted the sale of XL bullies and reduced the number of public attacks.
They also pointed to research suggesting that XL bullies have a nearly three times higher likelihood of causing fatal incidents compared to other breeds, arguing that while responsible ownership and educational initiatives are essential, they are less impactful without explicit breed prohibitions.
The increased number of reported attacks is potentially linked to a recent change in Crown Prosecution Service guidelines, which now categorize dog-on-dog incidents as relevant offences within police recording frameworks.
The ban on the XL bully breed received cross-party backing last year, and Labour’s leadership signaled intentions to revise the Dangerous Dogs Act and reassess the list of banned breeds if they come to power.
Other breeds currently prohibited include American pit bull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinos, and fila Brasileiros.
A spokesperson from Defra remarked in August, “The ongoing dog attack incidents highlight the necessity for further action to protect the public from dangerous animals.”
“We remain committed to collaborating with the police, local authorities, and animal welfare organizations to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds. The XL bully ban is implemented solely for public safety, and we anticipate all owners of this breed to adhere to the stipulated conditions.”
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