XL Bully Law One Year Later Tragedies Ban Fight Area Hailed Dog Capital

Owning XL Bullies now has stricter rules. These rules started last year to protect people. Since February 1, 2024, the rules got tighter. It became illegal to own an XL Bully without proper paperwork. People cannot sell, breed, or abandon them either. This prevents harm.

Dog attacks caused seven deaths last year, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. One tragedy was Nicholas Glass’ death in Rednal. In 2023, 19 people died, and six people died in 2022 from attacks. About 100 dogs get put down each month since the ban.

Before the ban, confusion arose among owners. People panicked about the breed rules, fearing their dogs would die. After the law changed, some people abandoned dogs, leaving them in parks or tied to trees. People risked breaking the law to rescue them.

Some XL Bully lovers want to end the ban. They use social media and petitions to fight it, advocating for licenses instead to keep dogs safe. They believe the ban hides the problems, while others are scared due to injuries. Some say the issue is about the owner, not the breed.

Mickey Singh says one area loves XL Bullies. He moved to Kingstanding from East London and now calls it “dog capital of Birmingham.” He loves the warmth he gets there, even though he faced eviction for having a puppy.

He walks Tyson, his XL Bully, in Kingstanding, where people show them so much love. People give Tyson treats and affection. Kids hug and kiss him at the park. You wouldn’t know about the ban there, he says.

Tyson is insured, chipped, and exempt. Mickey trained him with love and discipline, believing this makes Tyson “not reactive.” People even buy Tyson gifts. Many own XL Bullies and multiple dogs there. Kingstanding is very diverse for dogs.

Bordesley Green is different, an area that had an XL Bully attack where an 11-year-old girl was hurt. Mickey felt threatened walking Tyson there. People told him to remove the dog or face violence.

People associate the dogs with fighting, and Mickey faced negativity there. He tells people he trained Tyson well and is a responsible dog owner. He says problems arise when people breed these dogs and abandon them.

People are defensive when scared, he says. Petitions aim to lift the ban, proposing licenses for owners instead, like owning a car. You need to be responsible, he claims.

Get a dog only if you train it and insure it. Irresponsible owners damage society. Requirements should let serious people own dogs. Banning them just pushes things underground.

Mickey struggles to find a landlord because he has an XL Bully and two pups. It’s not breed prejudice, he says; few landlords allow dogs at all.

Since February 1, rehoming XL Bullies is illegal, as is selling, buying, or transferring them. Abandoning or letting them stray is also illegal. Owners can no longer apply for exemption, which now only a court order allows.

The government advises reporting stray dogs. Owners can’t get compensation for euthanasia. This program ended in March last year.