XL Bully owners offering dogs for rehoming on social media despite ban

XL Bully dogs are still being offered for rehoming on social media despite the first stage of the Government’s ban coming into force.

From 1 January 2023, it became illegal to buy, sell, give away or abandon an XL Bully in England and Wales.

The move came after a string of serious dog attacks linked to the XL Bully breed in recent years including several fatal incidents.

Ian Price, 52, was mauled to death by two dogs believed to be XL Bullies in Stonnall, Staffordshire, on 14 September last year.

The next day Rishi Sunak branded the XL Bully a “danger to our communities” and said the breed would be added to the list of those which are illegal to own under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of 2023.

But despite the first phase of the ban coming into force, i has discovered several examples of what would appear to be XL Bully owners breaching the new law by offering dogs for rehoming on social media.

On Monday this week, one member of a Facebook group called ‘XL Bully help/rehoming’ wrote: “I’ve got an XL Bully that we rescued that needs to be rehomed, she’s 3 years old.”

Another added: “I have a 10 months bully”

On 12 January, an account on TikTok shared a video with appeals for at least six different XL Bully dogs with the caption: “Need homes now please message me !!”

And on Instagram, an appeal was published on Friday this week for a 5-year-old male XL Bully “seeking a forever home”.

From 1 February, it will become illegal to own an XL Bully in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.

Government figures show more than 30,000 exemption certificates have been granted ahead of the ban.

Police will have powers to seize and impound unregistered dogs, which could be put down if the owner fails to subsequently obtain an exemption through the courts.

Jayne Dendle, who leads the campaign group Save Our Seized dogs, told i she believes there has been little police enforcement to date.

Much of the responsibility for enforcement will lie with Dog Legislation Offices, a specialist policing role of which there are less than a hundred across the country.

Experts have previously warned that they will struggle to deal with the extra capacity needed for enforcing the XL Bully ban without more resources.

“I don’t think police forces aren’t going to start taking any action until after 1 February,” Ms Dendle told i.

“Their training began on 18 January and constituted a four-hour session.

“The majority of DLOs have done it and some are already responding to queries from owners asking if they think they have an XL Bully.

“But obviously it’s very late in the day.

“There’s been very little in the way of extra training for officers or extra officers on the ground, there isn’t the capacity to deal with this.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which is responsible for the XL Bully ban, has been contacted for comment.

Earlier this week, the Government urged owners of unregistered XL Bully dogs to act now or else risk failing to secure an exemption before the online system closes at noon on 31 January.

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: “Please do not risk leaving it to the last minute if you want to keep your dog, you should register it now.

“If you are unsure if your dog is an XL Bully or whether any puppies may grow up to be of this dog type, you should comply with the relevant requirements and restrictions.”

Owners who choose to have their dogs euthanised can claim £200 towards the cost of the procedure.

According to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) figures, there have been more than 100 compensation claims so far.

There are no official figures on the number of XL Bullies in the UK.

David Martin, group animal welfare adviser for IVC Evidensia, a veterinary chain, told MPs in September that there were at least 5,000 XL Bully dogs registered at the company’s practices, which accounts for around 10 per cent of UK vets.

On this basis, he estimated the total XL Bully population to be at least 50,000. Some experts, however, believe there could be more than 100,000 – with a particular concentration in the North of England.

To qualify for an exemption certificate, owners need to pay a £92.40 fee and prove that their XL Bully meets certain criteria.

If the dog is less than a year old by 31 January, it must be neutered by the end of 2024, and evidence must be provided. If it is older than a year on 31 January, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024.

XL Bully owners must also purchase active public liability insurance for their pets and ensure the dogs are microchipped.