XL Bully Dog Ownership Now a Criminal Offence in England and Wales Without Exemption Certificate

Seized dogs face potential destruction, sparking concerns among animal welfare groups and experts calling for a complete overhaul of existing dog control legislation.

Owning an XL bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate is now a criminal offence, with unregistered pets to be seized and owners possibly fined and prosecuted.
National Police Chiefs’ Council dangerous dogs lead Mark Hobrough has urged the public to report any non-compliant XL bully owners so officers can assess the animals.
Seized dogs will be taken to kennels before a court decides if they should either be destroyed or deemed not a danger to public safety.
The ban on XL bullies followed a series of attacks on people, prompting the Government to take action to protect public safety.
Animal welfare groups and experts have expressed concern about the ban, arguing that a complete overhaul of the existing dog control legislation is needed to tackle the root causes of dog-related incidents.