Hundreds of XL bully dogs have just ‘weeks to live’ as ban approaches

The breed cannot be rehomed or sold after December 31

At least 246 dogs living at rescue centres will be put down, Sky News reports.

In October, XL bullys officially became a banned breed after the government brought in legislation following a number of attacks.

The ban will come into effect in two phases, with the first deadline arriving at the end of December.

From 31 December 2023 it will be illegal to sell, abandon, breed from or give away an American bully XL, or have one in public without a lead or muzzle.

This means that any XL bully in rescue centres in England and Wales will have to be put down unless they can be rehomed before the end of the year.

Although rescuers can apply for exemptions to keep the breed, this would mean the dog living out the rest of its life in a kennel. This is an option that charities have said they would never choose for welfare reasons.

The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes said the 246 are less than half of the total number of the breed to have been rescued in the UK, meaning many more XL bullies may have to be put down next year as well.

According to Blue Cross, it costs between £350 to £400 to kill a big dog like an XL bully, due to higher cremation costs and more drugs required to euthanise them.

In total, it could cost charities more than £90,000 to destroy their XL bullies.

The RSPCA has said vets "face the prospect of being asked to put to sleep healthy dogs whose behaviour poses no risk."

The government is offering owners £200 towards the cost of putting their dog to sleep should they choose to.

From February 1, 2024, it will be a criminal offence to own one unless owners have successfully applied for it to be exempt in England and Wales.

From this date, owners will be forced to comply with strict requirements. Their XL bully must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public, microchipped and neutered.

Blue Cross will neuter more than 1,000 XL bullies for their owners, but has urged the government to extend the deadline, with the charity saying it will be "placed in a position where other preventative work such as vaccinations and routine neutering will have to be stopped."

The government guidance against XL bullies is similar to that issued against the American pit bull terrier, the Japanese tosa, the Dogo Argentinos and the Fila Brazileiro, which were the four breeds banned in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Defra has published information and rules on what features define an American Bully XL, and you can find the full details of the ban here.

Related links:

‘I’ve got an XL Bully but I refuse to muzzle her – she’ll be off the lead most of the time too’