In response to an increase in incidents and fatalities involving XL Bully dogs, with two major attacks in September and October 2023, the UK Government has now added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
There are now five dog breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which include the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully.
To help XL Bully owners adapt to the new laws, these changes came into force in three stages. In England and Wales, the ban was brought in in three stages:
- Stage one was announced on 31 October 2023
- Stage two took effect on 31 December 2023
- Stage three took effect on 1 February 2024
Since the announcement of the ban, there have been many questions from owners. Here are our most-asked questions following the XL Bully ban announcement.
What is an XL Bully?
One of the most pressing questions is how to know if a dog would be classified as an XL Bully ‘type’. The UK Government has put together official guidance to help define what an XL Bully dog is, which involves checking the dog’s physical characteristics to determine if they fit the type.
Some of the characteristics mentioned include but are not limited to:
- A large dog with a muscular body and blocky head.
- Height of males from 20in (51cm) and height of females from 19in (48cm).
- Heavily muscled body with a broad, deep chest with well-sprung ribs.
For the full list of characteristics, read the UK Government's official guidance here.
If you are unsure if you have an XL Bully dog, the Government recommends to err on the side of caution and comply with the new legislation. Should you require further assistance in determining whether your dog will be impacted by this ban, we recommend contacting your local police force Dog Legislation Officer (DLO).
What will the XL Bully ban mean for owners?
XL Bully dogs are now banned in England and Wales under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and there are three different stages to help owners comply with the law.
Are you an XL Bully owner looking for advice outside of England and Wales? Read our guides on the Scottish ban and Northern Ireland ban.
Stage one: 31 October 2023
Following the ban announcement, owners in England and Wales had until 31 January 2024 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to be registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs. From this moment, the breeding of XL Bully dogs was discouraged, and owners were told to look into neutering and microchipping their dog.
Stage two: 31 December 2023
From 31 December 2023, it was made illegal in England and Wales to:
- Sell an XL Bully dog
- Abandon an XL Bully dog
- Give away an XL Bully dog
- Breed an XL Bully dog
- Have an XL Bully dog in public without being on a lead and wearing a muzzle
- Own an XL Bully dog that has not been microchipped (this is already a legal requirement for all dogs)
Stage three: 1 February 2024
By 1 February 2024, it was made illegal to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales – unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for your dog and you follow the rules, which include:
- Microchipping your dog.
- Muzzling your dog and keeping them on a lead in public.
- Neutering your dog.
- Taking out third-party insurance (also known as public liability insurance) against your dog injuring other people – this can be provided through Dogs Trust Membership.
- Be over 16 years old.
If you are found in possession of an XL Bully dog without a Certification of Exemption, the law may subject you to a criminal record and an unlimited fine, and authorities could also seize your dog.
Owners of XL Bully dogs with a Certificate of Exemption are required to provide evidence of insurance on request (within five days).
On 5 Dec 2024, an update was announced to allow for a replacement caregiver for exempted XL Bully dogs if the original owner dies or becomes seriously ill.
Neutering your XL Bully
Neutering is compulsory for all XL Bully dogs, but the deadlines vary depending on your dogs’ age:
- Dogs over one year old on 31 January 2024 had to be neutered by 30 June 2024.
- Dogs aged seven to twelve months on 31 January 2024 will need to be neutered by 31 December 2024. You must submit proof of neutering by this date.
- Dogs under seven months on 31 January 2024 will need to be neutered by 30 June 2025. The original deadline was 31 December 2024, but this was extended to 30 June 2025 instead to address welfare concerns related to neutering young dogs. You must submit proof of neutering by this date.
A vet must confirm that your XL Bully has been neutered and fill in the confirmation of neutering form (VCN01) with you. Defra need to receive the confirmation of neutering by the deadlines mentioned earlier. This can be done by emailing Defra a scanned copy or sending by post. We recommend using recorded delivery if sent by post so that you can safely track your form.
If evidence of neutering is not provided to Defra by the deadline, your Certificate of Exemption will be invalid. This means you could have your dog seized, and face prosecution and a criminal record. If there are any issues verifying the information on the form, Defra will contact you. For more information, read the UK Government’s official guidance here.
How do I apply for a Certificate of Exemption?
Owners in England and Wales had until 31 January 2024 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption. If you’ve missed the deadline for applying for a Certificate of Exemption, here’s the Government’s advice on what to do.
What should I do if I am unable to adhere to the restrictions?
The UK Government broke up the law into different stages in England and Wales. From 31 December 2023, XL Bully dogs must be microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled in public.
Neutering is compulsory for XL Bully dogs with three deadlines:
- 30 June 2024 – for dogs over one year old on 31 January 2024. The deadline for submitting the confirmation of neutering form was 26 July 2024.
- 31 December 2024 – for dogs aged seven to twelve months on 31 January 2024.
- 30 June 2025 – for dogs under seven months on 31 January 2024.
If you have an XL Bully, you will have to follow these neutering deadlines. Sadly, if you cannot adhere to these requirements by then, you’ll be at risk of being convicted of a crime. This can lead to an unlimited fine, a prison sentence and/or having your dog seized.
What should I do if I have a Certificate of Exemption but my XL Bully is not neutered by the deadline?
If you applied for a Certificate of Exemption in England and Wales and your XL Bully is not neutered by the deadline, then your dog is no longer exempt. You may be convicted of a crime, face an unlimited fine, a prison sentence, and/or have your dog seized.
- XL Bully dogs over one year old on 31 January 2024 must be neutered by 30 June 2024 – you have until 26 July 2024 to submit the confirmation of neutering form to Defra, which needs to be signed and confirmed by your vet.
- XL Bully dogs aged seven to twelve months on 31 January 2024 must be neutered by 31 December 2024. Confirmation of neutering is also required by this deadline.
- XL Bully dogs under seven months on 31 January 2024 must be neutered by 30 June 2025. Confirmation of neutering is also required by this deadline.
For more information, read the UK Government’s official page.
What happens to unowned XL Bully dogs?
From 31 December 2023, it’s illegal to abandon an XL Bully dog or allow them to stray in England in Wales. If you find a stray or abandoned dog, you should contact your local council, as they are responsible under the law for providing a stray dog service.
Should I report XL Bully dogs?
XL Bully breeds are banned – so you can report an XL Bully to the police if you see the dog without a muzzle or lead in public. If you are concerned that a dog is dangerous or has aggressive behaviour, regardless of the breed, then you should report the dog to the police or local authority.
If you are concerned about the cruelty or neglect of any pet, you should report it to the RSPCA in England and Wales, SSPCA in Scotland, and USPCA in Northern Ireland.
How do I stay safe around dogs?
The recent string of attacks is very distressing to many but it’s important to remember that the vast majority of dogs in the UK are not dangerous. However, it’s always best to be cautious, calm, and quiet when interacting with dogs.
Any dog can become aggressive if they are afraid or feel there is no other way out of the situation. The warning signs that a dog may attack include (but are not limited to):
- Growling
- Snarling
- Snapping
- Baring Teeth
- Lunging
Never approach an unknown dog without checking with their owner first and always ask the owner before stroking. If you do see a dog that is outside alone, call the council or report the dog online rather than approaching them.
We also recommend that you never run or shout around an unfamiliar dog. For further advice on dealing with a dog attack, read more here.
What to do if you’re worried about a dog’s behaviour
Understanding how to respond when you're concerned about a dog's behaviour can be challenging, and not all situations are the same. It’s always vital to make sure that the safety of the people involved is the main priority.
If you find yourself in this situation, here are some steps to help keep you and others safe:
- Step 1: Keep calm and get away from the situation – avoid eye contact and distance yourself from the dog quietly, slowly and calmly.
- Step 2: Create a physical barrier such as a door, car or whatever you have to hand.
- Step 3: If the owner is nearby, ask them to calmly put their dog on a lead if they haven’t already.
- Step 4: Try not to panic as loud noises or running could startle the dog and make them feel threatened. If a dog runs towards you, ignore the dog and remain still, standing side-on to appear less threatening. If you end up on the ground, curl in a ball and protect your head.
For further information on this, read our guide here.
How can I train my dog to wear a muzzle?
Muzzle training is essential for XL Bully owners as it’s now against the law to have an XL Bully dog in public without a muzzle. Training your dog to wear a muzzle with positive reinforcement is crucial, as it helps them associate it with a positive experience.
For help on muzzle training your dog, watch our useful video below:
PDSA’s statement on the XL Bully ban
PDSA’s position on the Dangerous Dogs Act remains unchanged – breed specific legislation is ineffective because it has not resulted in a reduction of dog bites or human deaths.
Whilst we agree urgent action is needed to protect the public from dangerous dogs, we're disappointed the Government have implemented this legislation. We'd like to see the Government focus on much needed extensive reform of the Dangerous Dogs Act, as we do not believe that adding ‘XL Bully’ dogs to the list of banned breeds is an effective way of protecting the public.
To find out more about PDSA’s stance on banning dog breeds, read our official statement on the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).
What is PDSA doing to help XL Bully owners?
Our primary objective at PDSA is to provide the utmost support to XL Bully owners as they navigate the newly announced regulations. As a charity, our resources are limited, but we remain here to support all owners however we can, and continue to, treat XL Bully dogs in our care as normal.
To check if you are eligible for PDSA’s services, please follow the instructions online: www.pdsa.org.uk/eligibilty.