UK: Ban on “XL Bully dogs” to be brought into force

The UK government has added the American XL Bully to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. From 31 December 2023 it will be against the law to sell, abandon, give away, breed from, and have such a dog in public without a lead and muzzle. Furthermore, from 1 February 2024 it will become illegal to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless the owner applies for and receives a Certificate of Exemption for the dog. In any case, American XL Bully dogs must be neutered. This change in the law comes after a series of recent attacks and deaths involving the breed.