Latest news with #XLBullys
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- General
- Press and Journal
Inside Aberdeen's danger dog crackdown as police lift lid on illegal breeds after XL bully kills owner
Police bosses have lifted the lid on their efforts to clamp down on Aberdeen danger dogs since the controversial XL Bully ban a year ago. The force was asked to compile the dossier, recently presented to council chiefs, after a woman was killed by one of the dogs in a savage attack on Foresterhill Road. Michelle McLeod died in December when her XL Bully named Bailey turned violent. Described by her family as a 'beloved mum, daughter and friend', Michelle was pronounced dead at the scene. Bailey was euthanised following the tragic incident. This is just one of the danger dogs police have dealt with across the city in the past 12 months. The UK Government has outlawed the ownership of certain dog breeds deemed to be dangerous. These dogs are seized by police and are often later euthanised. However, there are exemptions where owners are deemed fit and meet several requirements. This includes muzzling, microchipping, neutering, and more. The report details that there are more than 3,300 certificated dangerous dogs across Scotland. And 278 of these are registered to the Aberdeen area. XL Bully dogs were added to the banned breed list in the UK in February 2024. It later became illegal to own one without an exemption certificate in July of that year. This new report reveals that, between April 1 last year and March 31 in 2025, there were 50 cases related to dogs recorded by police in Aberdeen. It should be noted that only 13 of these cases involve XL Bullies, with no other banned breeds featuring across the cases. These 13 cases involve only 10 different dogs, with seven recorded as dogs 'dangerously out of control' and six offences linked to exemption conditions. Four dogs were put down after their owners were charged with offences. The 50 cases of dog-related incidents in Aberdeen are an increase on the numbers from previous years. In the same timespan between 2023 and 2024, there were 38 dog-related cases recorded, with 37 categorised as dogs dangerously out of control, and one instance where a dog was not muzzled or on a lead. The year between 2022 to 2023 saw 32 cases, all of which were dogs dangerously out of control. Each of these two previous years' cases did not involve any banned breeds. Despite numbers suggesting an increase in dangerous dogs in the Granite City, the number of out-of-control dogs has declined from the previous year. This goes to show that the increase in dog-related crimes is more linked to the legislation banning XL Bullys.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wicklow dog owners offered ‘snip and chip' discount to encourage neutering
From speaking to some members of the public, the rescue centre's founder Fiona Gammell believes that in some cases the "exorbitant' vet charges on offer have a bearing on the ability of dog and cat owners to be able to afford to get their pets neutered. 'We heard at least two cases where two different vets in Co Wicklow were quoting €900 and €700 respectively for neutering XL Bully dogs,' added Fiona. 'This is far more than should be expected, especially from those on limited incomes. We did a 'snip and chip' for XL Bullys for €100. The owner paid €100 and Wicklow Animal Welfare paid the rest. That scheme has now ended. We had 108 dogs neutered on that scheme alone. Like every service provider, you can shop around and get the best value available.' She added: 'There can be a huge difference in prices charged from one vet to another, even in the same area, and from one county to another. I think the veterinary profession should come together and offer their own reduced rate schemes for those pet owners who cannot afford to neuter their animals on their own. 'Rescues can only do so much, but we need to have a concerted plan to help and prevent the overpopulation of unwanted animals. We cannot do that on our own and in light of no government intervention or help being mooted, it would appear that the situation will only get worse.' In addition to neutering, Fiona is keen to press home to dog owners just how important it is to get your pet microchipped, with very few of the dogs who pass through Wicklow Animal Welfare before being rehomed arriving already chipped. Fiona said: 'Only one in every hundred of dogs we take in here are neutered, and only five in every one hundred dogs we take in are microchipped. Microchipping of canines became law ten years ago, it is against the law to have a non microchipped dog in your possession. Microchipping is the only real way to definitively determine ownership of a dog and is a big part of responsible dog ownership.' If you wish to book an appointment for your collie or collie cross to be neutered at Avondale Vet Clinic in Rathdrum on the Wicklow Animal Welfare Scheme then contact Mairead Nolan on 0404 46217.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Co Wicklow dog owners offered ‘snip and chip' discount to encourage neutering
From speaking to some members of the public, the rescue centre's founder Fiona Gammell believes that in some cases the "exorbitant' vet charges on offer have a bearing on the ability of dog and cat owners to be able to afford to get their pets neutered. 'We heard at least two cases where two different vets in Co Wicklow were quoting €900 and €700 respectively for neutering XL Bully dogs,' added Fiona. 'This is far more than should be expected, especially from those on limited incomes. We did a 'snip and chip' for XL Bullys for €100. The owner paid €100 and Wicklow Animal Welfare paid the rest. That scheme has now ended. We had 108 dogs neutered on that scheme alone. Like every service provider, you can shop around and get the best value available.' She added: 'There can be a huge difference in prices charged from one vet to another, even in the same area, and from one county to another. I think the veterinary profession should come together and offer their own reduced rate schemes for those pet owners who cannot afford to neuter their animals on their own. 'Rescues can only do so much, but we need to have a concerted plan to help and prevent the overpopulation of unwanted animals. We cannot do that on our own and in light of no government intervention or help being mooted, it would appear that the situation will only get worse.' In addition to neutering, Fiona is keen to press home to dog owners just how important it is to get your pet microchipped, with very few of the dogs who pass through Wicklow Animal Welfare before being rehomed arriving already chipped. Fiona said: 'Only one in every hundred of dogs we take in here are neutered, and only five in every one hundred dogs we take in are microchipped. Microchipping of canines became law ten years ago, it is against the law to have a non microchipped dog in your possession. Microchipping is the only real way to definitively determine ownership of a dog and is a big part of responsible dog ownership.' If you wish to book an appointment for your collie or collie cross to be neutered at Avondale Vet Clinic in Rathdrum on the Wicklow Animal Welfare Scheme then contact Mairead Nolan on 0404 46217.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Update as more details revealed about aftermath of dog attack
More details have been revealed about the aftermath of a reported dog attack near Swindon's town centre. Armed officers, more than a dozen police cars, a land ambulance, and the Bath and Wiltshire Air Ambulance attended Exeter Street on Sunday afternoon to deal with the incident. Wiltshire Police confirmed to the Adver that a man in his 50s was injured in the alleged dog attack and suffered injuries that were described as life-changing. He was taken by helicopter to Bristol's Southmead hospital for treatment. Police have since confirmed that the injuries he has received are not thought to be life-threatening. The spokesperson added that although the county force has not yet formally assessed the breed of the dog, the owner had self-declared it to be an XL Bully. Policeman fired after pub incident's "actions were not acceptable" says chief Arrest after suspect "repeatedly exposes himself" in car park Two arrested on suspicion of drug dealing as £10,000 and drugs seized The 24-year-old woman who owns the dog and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of has since been released on bail while officers' enquiries continue. Eyewitnesses who were in the street at the time described hearing her pleading with firearms officers to 'not shoot her dog'. It is further understood from accounts of neighbours that the victim was not a stranger to the dog, and had often been seen walking the pet around the area. He is believed to have been looking after the dog for its owner at the time of the incident. Police dog handlers and officers were able to sedate the dog without the need for further deadly intervention and are currently caring for it in police kennels. Officers have confirmed there is not thought to be a further threat to the public. An Advertiser investigation into the cost to police of managing the new laws surrounding the ownership of XL Bullys revealed that it had risen exponentially in the last year. We submitted an FOI request to the force to find out how many dangerous dogs had been seized in the last five years and how much it had cost Wiltshire Police to house these dogs in kennels after the law changed regarding XL Bully ownership in February 2024. In 2024, there were 72 dogs seized, nearly five times as many as the 15 seized in 2020. During the intervening period, there were 26 dogs seized in 2021, 23 in 2022 and 29 in 2023. As of February, the costs to date for the current year stood at £266,280, up massively from £33,437 in the period from 2020 to 2021. From 2023 to 2024, when the law changed, Wiltshire Police spent £84,504 on kennel costs for dangerous dogs. (Image: From public) A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: "The cost of kennelling dangerous dogs has risen significantly in the past year due to increased fees combined with the fact we are seizing far more dogs since the law around XL bullies changed. "This has resulted in a much higher workload for officers in our Dog Section, who have swiftly adapted and work hard to keep Wiltshire safe. "It is important to remember that at the heart of this subject are human victims - some of whom have suffered life-altering injuries from dangerous dogs. "We will continue to enforce the law and seize banned breeds and any breed of dog which is suspected to be dangerously out of control. "For more information about this subject, please visit the website." Police are appealing for witnesses for this incident, and anyone who saw what happened or has information that could help with the police's investigation is encouraged to call 101 quoting reference number 54250050707.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Woman attacked by four dogs at her home as armed police rush to the scene
A woman required "medical attention" after she was attacked by a number of dogs at her home in south Belfast. Police were called to the scene in the Dromara Street area shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, following a report of a woman being attacked by a number of dogs. Images from the scene show armed police response officers in attendance at a house in the area. A number of dogs were also restrained by specialist officers during the incident. It is understood none of the dogs involved in the attack are believed to be XL Bullys. In a statement, a PSNI spokesperson said: "Shortly before 1pm, it was reported that a woman was attacked by a number of dogs and bitten on her leg, requiring her to seek medical attention. "Officers attended and contained four dogs in an alleyway until they were taken from the area safely." It comes shortly after an elderly woman was rushed to hospital after she was attacked by a dog in Co Dublin. The woman, who is in her 70s, was reportedly visiting a neighbour in the Darndale area when the incident happened at around 2.45pm yesterday afternoon. Gardai and emergency services raced to the scene and the woman was later taken to Beaumont Hospital for treatment of her injuries, which are not life-threatening. A Garda spokesperson confirmed that the dog involved in the attack was removed by a local dog warden. "Gardaí and Emergency Services were alerted to an incident involving a dog that occurred at a property in Darndale, Dublin 17 at approximately 2:45pm this afternoon, Tuesday 22nd April 2025," the spokesperson said. "A woman, aged in her 70s, was taken to Beaumont hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The dog has been removed by the local Dog Warden."
