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South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- South Wales Argus
XL Bully ban failing says RSPCA after Gwent dog attacks
The charity argues that the ban, introduced in 2023, under the Dangerous Dogs Act, has not reduced attacks or fatalities, and is instead leading to the unnecessary euthanasia of many dogs. 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.
South Wales Argus
25-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Who gets the dog during a divorce? Experts explain all
However, one area married couples tend to neglect when splitting is who gets custody of the dog. If you're breaking up with your husband or wife and want to keep ownership of the family pet, or are simply interested in reading about the topic, here is everything you need to know. Who gets the dog during a divorce? According to Stowe Family Law, the rules are "clear" around who gets the family pet. The firm states that dogs are classed as chattel and, therefore, are an item of personal property. Technically speaking, the person who bought the animal and to whom it is registered to will keep it in the event of a divorce. However, it adds that the "only exception" to this is when there is "clear evidence" that the animal was subsequently gifted to the other party. Is pet 'co-parenting' possible during a divorce? On an episode of The Divorce Podcast, RSPCA pet welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines and Divorce Specialist Carol Harte discussed the topic of pet "co-parenting" in the event of a divorce or seperation. Samantha said: 'A shared care arrangement is absolutely a possibility. "When I think of my separated friends that have got shared arrangements with their dogs, they have very rich lives, because both caregivers go to incredible lengths when they get to spend time with them. 'They are very much committed to the time they have for their dog when it is their turn. Pet co-parenting is possible after a divorce if it is carefully planned (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Recommended Reading: 'They'll be at home, plan exciting walks and do things they know their dog will absolutely love.' However, while in the 'vast number of cases' dogs can 'adapt very, very well' to carefully-planned new living arrangements, there are many challenges with other species. Sam adds: 'It's potentially a little bit more difficult having that shared arrangement with cats. They find being transported very, very stressful.'
Leader Live
24-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Who gets the dog during a divorce? Experts explain all
However, one area married couples tend to neglect when splitting is who gets custody of the dog. If you're breaking up with your husband or wife and want to keep ownership of the family pet, or are simply interested in reading about the topic, here is everything you need to know. According to Stowe Family Law, the rules are "clear" around who gets the family pet. The firm states that dogs are classed as chattel and, therefore, are an item of personal property. Technically speaking, the person who bought the animal and to whom it is registered to will keep it in the event of a divorce. However, it adds that the "only exception" to this is when there is "clear evidence" that the animal was subsequently gifted to the other party. On an episode of The Divorce Podcast, RSPCA pet welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines and Divorce Specialist Carol Harte discussed the topic of pet "co-parenting" in the event of a divorce or seperation. Samantha said: 'A shared care arrangement is absolutely a possibility. "When I think of my separated friends that have got shared arrangements with their dogs, they have very rich lives, because both caregivers go to incredible lengths when they get to spend time with them. 'They are very much committed to the time they have for their dog when it is their turn. Pet co-parenting is possible after a divorce if it is carefully planned (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) 'They'll be at home, plan exciting walks and do things they know their dog will absolutely love.' However, while in the 'vast number of cases' dogs can 'adapt very, very well' to carefully-planned new living arrangements, there are many challenges with other species. Sam adds: 'It's potentially a little bit more difficult having that shared arrangement with cats. They find being transported very, very stressful.'
The Independent
29-03-2025
- The Independent
Mapped: The number of dog attacks in your area since XL Bully ban with more than 60 reported a day
More than 20,000 dog attacks were reported to police across England and Wales in the 12 months since the introduction of the XL Bully ban, with one force seeing the number increase by more than a third compared to the previous year. A ban was introduced in February last year under a change to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 after 16 deaths by dog bites in 2023 - more than double the six fatalities in 2022. There were also 11,000 hospital admissions for dog bites in England in 2023/24. Former prime minister Rishi Sunak declared the XL Bully dog a danger to communities, placing it on the list of prohibited breeds that include the Pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. However, animal groups that come under the Dog Control Coalition argued the ban was unfair on responsible dog owners and their pets. More than 800 XL Bully dogs have been enthused by police since the ban came into force. There are still tens of thousands of XL Bully dogs kept by owners who applied for exemption certificates in exchange for insuring and microchipping their pet, and agreeing to keep it muzzled and on a lead in public. In the first set of annual data on dog attacks since the ban came in, The Independent can reveal that the number of incidents reported to forces increased year-on-year. Freedom of Information Act request responses received from 32 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales showed there were at least 23,064 logged incidents of an owner or person in charge allowing dog to be dangerously out of control in any place injuring any person or assistance dog from 1 February last year to 31 January this year. The real figure will be higher with three forces - West Midlands, Sussex and Greater Manchester - providing data for only 11 months of latest 12-month period. It is up by one from 23,063 the year before, and well up from the 14,212 five years ago. Some forces saw big increases, such as Cleveland Police which had a 34 per cent increase in incidents from last year. Gwent, Devon and Cornwall and Warwickshire forces also saw the figure go up significantly. Other forces did see a reduction. The number of incidents reported to the Met Police fell by 20 per cent. The number of incidents could not be broken down by breed, and could be impacted by an update in Crown Prosecution Service guidance last year that said dog-on-dog attacks could potentially be included. In January, the National Policing Chief Council did warn that the legislation would be no immediate fix to the issue, while calling on support to deal with the issue that is estimated to cost £25m in kennel and veterinary costs by April this year. Forces also seized almost 5,000 banned dogs in the six months after the ban, said the NPCC. Among those against the ban was the RSPCA, which is part of the Dog Control Coalition. Dr Samantha Gaines, head of companion animal welfare at the charity, told The Independent: 'We absolutely did not support the change in legislation banning XL bullies. As well as an alarming rise in the number of cases of deliberate cruelty to these dogs, the RSPCA is concerned about the welfare of thousands of other XL Bully type dogs as a result of the restrictions placed on them by the ban. 'We instead want governments to tackle the root causes of aggressive behaviour in dogs by cracking down on irresponsible breeding and promoting responsible ownership, as well as ensuring effective enforcement of legislation and strong punishments for those who use dogs dangerously.' A Defra spokesperson said: 'The ban on XL Bullies is there to protect public safety and we expect all XL Bully owners to comply with the strict conditions. 'Ongoing dog attacks show we need to do more to protect public safety. We will continue to encourage responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog and to consider whether the current dog control rules are sufficient to ensure communities are protected.'
