The Home Secretary Takes Action
The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has made a commitment to ban killer XL bully dogs in a bid to protect communities. This comes after the latest attack on an 11-year-old girl and two men who tried to intervene in Birmingham over the weekend.
A History of Fatal Attacks
XL bully dogs have been linked to nine deaths, including three children, since 2021. Braverman highlighted their particular threat to children and stated that these attacks must come to an end.
A Clear and Lethal Danger
Braverman labeled XL bully dogs as a "clear and lethal danger" and called for urgent action to ban their breeding and sale in the country. She expressed her concerns on Twitter, stating that American XL bullies are terrorizing communities, especially children, at an alarming rate.
Commissioning Urgent Advice
Braverman and Policing Minister Chris Philp have commissioned urgent advice on enhancing public safety and banning the breeding and sale of these dogs. They aim to take swift action to protect the public from further harm.
A Disproportionate Threat
American bullies, including the XL breed, have been responsible for 73% of dog-related deaths in the UK since 2022. This is despite them making up a small percentage of the overall canine population. Campaign group Bully Watch UK reports that Britons are 270 times more likely to be killed by an American bully than any other breed.
A Horrifying Attack
Disturbing footage captured an XL bully dog mauling the 11-year-old girl and a man in Bordesley Green, Birmingham. The horrifying video, which caught the attention of the Home Secretary, shows the dog attacking the girl's arm viciously. The dog briefly restrained by a man, managed to escape and went on to attack another man at a petrol station.
Previous Bans and Underground Breeding
XL Bullys are a combination of different breeds, with the main one being the American pit bull terrier, which has already been banned in the UK since 1991. However, underground breeders continue to mix legal pit bulls with other dogs. The Sun on Sunday investigation uncovered unregistered breeders selling these dogs for as much as £2,500 online.
Social Impact and Support for the Ban
Bully Watch UK reveals that American bully-type dogs have been responsible for 44% of all reported attacks by dogs this year, with the bully XL involved in 22% of those attacks. In 2021 alone, there were 22,000 dog attacks causing injury in England and Wales. Many individuals and organizations, including former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), back the ban on these dangerous dogs.
Photos and Videos: The Guardian
