XL Bully ban failing says RSPCA after Gwent dog attacks
The call for reform comes nearly four years after the death of 10-year-old Jack Lis from Caerphilly, who was killed by an XL Bully named Beast in November 2021.
The dog's owner was later jailed, but the RSPCA says breed-specific legislation is not protecting the public and is urging the UK Government to review its approach.
Jack Lis was killed by an XL Bully named Beast in 2021 (Image: NQ) Dr Samantha Gaines, head of companion animals at the RSPCA, said: "This data paints a predictable and depressing picture – with the change in legislation meaning high numbers of XL Bully dogs are being seized and put to sleep.
"Many of these dogs will have been much-loved family pets; their existence made illegal by a change of legislation focussed purely on how a dog looks rather than their behaviour."
The charity says the current law, which focuses on the appearance of a dog rather than its temperament or actions, is ineffective.
In September 2023, the UK Government announced its intention to ban the XL Bully breed.
By December 2023, it became illegal to breed, sell, advertise, or give away an XL Bully, and as of February 1, 2024, ownership without an exemption certificate became a criminal offence.
Since the ban, police forces across England and Wales have seized large numbers of suspected banned dogs.
Of the 1,035 dogs seized in 2024 by 19 police forces, 674 (more than 65 per cent) were identified as XL Bullies.
XL Bullies have been banned in the UK since late 2023 (Image: PA)The charity says this figure is likely much higher across all 43 police forces.
The impact on the animal welfare sector has also been severe.
Figures from the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes show that 693 dogs were euthanised in 2024 because of the legislation—more than three times the 201 in 2023, and more than eight times the 80 in 2022.
Despite the ban, dog-related fatalities have not decreased.
There were ten reported deaths in 2024, higher than in any full year before the ban was first announced.
Dr Gaines said: "It is absolutely heart breaking that dog fatalities and serious bite incidents are continuing and in very concerning numbers – which underlines that the Dangerous Dog Act simply isn't working, and hasn't been for 34 years.
"The UK Government urgently needs to adopt a different approach; focussed instead on preventing dangerous behaviours rather than focussing on the dog's individual breed.
"The law has been failing dogs and, crucially, public safety too for long.
"It's time for decision makers to review the current dog control situation and commit to measures which effectively protect public safety and safeguard dog welfare."
The RSPCA is calling for a full review of the Dangerous Dogs Act and the introduction of measures that prioritise responsible ownership and behaviour-based controls.
The charity says the current "patchwork" of data highlights the need for more consistent and complete information to inform public safety and animal welfare strategies.
Dr Gaines said: "The patchwork of data provided by police forces shows an increase in the numbers of dogs being seized, and put to sleep – but this is not the only area where data is lacking.
"We clearly need far more consistent, detailed recording about dog bites, and monitoring of dangerous dog incidents.
"In the absence of this information we are unable to fully understand the scale of dog bites and their causal factors, nor to inform effective public health and safety strategies.
"Given the importance of this issue, we urgently need a more complete picture."
In Gwent, where 10-year-old Jack Lis was killed, police have only been able to provide dog control figures dating back to 2018.
Ruth Jones has said dangerous dog data in Gwent is incomplete (Image: NQ) There have also been concerns raised by Newport West and Islwyn MP Ruth Jones about the lack of consistent and accessible data.
The MP argued that the data "is inconsistent and incomplete".
Other incidents in Gwent have also raised concerns about dangerous dogs.
Yuki was left with injuries that required nearly £20k of treatment after an attack by an XL Bully (Image: NQ) A Pomeranian Japanese Spitz named Yuki was attacked by an XL Bully, leaving her with injuries that required £20,000 in veterinary treatment.
The RSPCA and other members of the Dog Control Coalition are calling for laws that focus on dog behaviour and responsible ownership, rather than breed.
XL Bullies can only be legally kept if owners obtained an exemption certificate by the end of January 2024, and if the dog is muzzled in all public places.
For more information on the RSPCA's campaign against breed-specific legislation, visit the RSPCA website.
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