American XL Bully dog breed banned in UK and Wales
American XL Bully to the list of dogs banned under Dangerous Dogs Act, making it illegal to breed or own it unless registered on a special list of dogs from January 31.
As per the government's decision, breeding, selling, advertising, exchanging, gifting, rehoming, abandoning or allowing XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales from December 31.
The government has also made it mandatory for owners to keep XL Bully dogs on a lead and muzzled when in public from December 31.
Owners who wish to keep their dogs will need to register them by January end and comply with strict requirements.
XL Bully owners,who are found without a certificate face a criminal record and an unlimited fine. Their dog could also be seized, as per the guidelines.
The government has also told breeders to stop mating XL Bully-type dogs.
It has also made it mandatory for these type of dogs to be neutered by the end of the year, older dogs must be neutered by the end of June 2024.
Those owners who wish to put their dogs to sleep by a vet, would be given a compensation to cover such costs, ministers said. Details on how to apply for compensation will be provided by the government in due course.
