NewsBeat
1000’s of XL Bully dogs at the risk of being destroyed
Currently, it is a crime to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid certificate of exemption – and owners who fail to obtain these certificates risk having their pets seized.
In order to obtain a certificate of exemption, XL Bully owners must obtain third party public liability insurance for their dog.
When XL Bullies were officially banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act in February 2024 following a spate of attacks, the Dogs Trust agreed to provide insurance so well-behaved bullies could remain with their families.
I’m generally in favour of banning Bully XL’s, but how strict are the muzzle and leash mandates for banned breeds? Seems crazy to stop dogs being allowed to run free in open space if there aren’t other dogs or children around!
— Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) September 15, 2023
Yesterday, (March 12), The Dogs Trust charity announced it would no longer be providing this insurance due to the mounting cost.
The charity said it will stop issuing new insurance policies and renewing existing insurance policies for banned breed dogs after June 30 2026, as per The ECHO.
Carla Lane Animals in Need said the loss of affordable insurance means “legal, innocent across the UK will be at risk of seizure and destruction”.
Current XL Bully laws in the UK
According to the government, it is a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
It’s also an offence to:
- sell an XL Bully dog
- abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
- give away an XL Bully dog
- breed or breed from an XL Bully dog
- have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle
A spokesman for the charity, which supports bully breed dogs, said on Facebook: “Carla Lane Animals in Need are appalled to see the horrifying, disappointing and fear-inducing email sent to thousands of exempted dog owners today confirming that Dogs Trust are withdrawing third party liability insurance, one of the conditions that keeps exempted dogs legal.
“We would urge owners not to panic at this stage, indications are the government will provide some form of solution.
The removal of insurance policies will apply to all banned breed dogs
“However we want to be clear in our message to the government that this change means that legal, innocent across the UK will be at risk of seizure and destruction yet again unless an affordable alternative is provided immediately, and assistance offered to owners who now have to understand and navigate yet another transition just to keep their dog alive.”
The removal of insurance policies will apply to all banned breed dogs, not just XL Bullies. Owners must continue to have valid insurance up to and including June 30 2026.
A notice on the government website reads: “You do not need to take any additional action right now. Defra will contact you directly in June to let you know what you need to do.”