XL Bully neglect shoots up by 239% since ban as dogs found beheaded and floating dead in cages

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT The animal charity is releasing the figures to mark the one-year anniversary (September 15) of the UK Government announcing the breed would be banned

Alarming figures from the RSPCA show a huge increase in reports of neglect, abandonment and intentional harm towards XL Bullies in the first eight months of this year.

The animal charity is releasing the figures to mark the one-year anniversary (September 15) of the UK Government announcing the breed would be banned. The law was enacted in England and Wales on December 31 last year. The number of reports made to the RSPCA of intentional harm to XL Bullies in the first eight months of 2024 was 103, compared to 39 in the same period in 2023 - shortly before the ban was announced, marking a rise of 164%.

Meanwhile, reports of abandoned XL Bullies have increased by 692% (103 from January to August 2024, compared to 13 for the same period in 2023). And reports of neglect towards the breed have increased by 239% (366 from January to August 2024, compared to 108 in 2023).

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Recent incidents which have been reported to the RSPCA include:

• The body and head of a decapitated XL Bully type dog were found in a shallow grave in Evesham, Worcestershire, last week.
• A dead XL Bully was found with head injuries in a Middlesbrough park in June.
• A cage with a dead XL Bully inside was found floating in a Birmingham canal, also in June.
• An XL Bully puppy was discovered dead in a cage in Bexleyheath in January, with blunt force trauma injuries to their head.
• Also in January, an XL Bully was found dead in a South London alleyway with a fractured skull.

As a result of XL Bullies being banned, there are now five types of dogs which are illegal in England and Wales under the Dangerous Dogs Act - including the pit bull terrier, Japanese rosa, fila brasiliero and dogo argentino.

Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA’s dog welfare expert and the charity’s lead on breed-specific legislation, said: “These are very concerning figures. We’ve seen an increase generally in reports of serious abuse to animals - particularly intentional harm and beatings - but the increase in reports relating specifically to XL Bully types is very alarming and we fear this is a direct result of the recent UK Government ban on this type of dog.

“This could be a result of the extra pressures this ban has placed on desperate owners who may already be struggling to care for their dogs during this cost of living crisis. But even worse, these could be deliberate acts of cruelty towards dogs who have become increasingly demonised in recent months.

“We’re also heartbroken that many dogs have been and will be put to sleep simply because they are considered to be dangerous because they look a certain way.”

The RSPCA is a member of the Dog Control Coalition which has long been campaigning for an urgent review of legislation that bans dogs based on their type and appearance. Protecting public safety is a priority but the current dog control approach is not the answer and is failing to protect the public while also compromising dog welfare.

Tens of thousands of XL Bully-type dogs were exempted by their owners after the UK Government announced the impending ban, and are now living under strict rules such as always being on the lead, muzzled in public and having been neutered.

As well as cases of deliberate cruelty to these dogs, the RSPCA is concerned about the welfare of thousands of other XL bully-type dogs as a result of the restrictions placed on them by the ban.

What the law change means for owners

Those still in possession of XL Bully dogs must confirm they have had their animal neutered to receive a Certificate of Exemption. The controversial breed is illegal to possess in England and Wales if you do not have an exemption letter. A new change to the law now means those not in possession of a Certificate of Exemption are in breach of the law.

Guidance from the government's website reads: "If you own an XL Bully dog, you must provide Defra with evidence that your dog has been neutered for your Certificate of Exemption to remain valid. If you do not provide evidence that your dog has been neutered by the relevant deadline, your dog will no longer be exempt.

"Your XL Bully dog must be permanently neutered. Male dogs must be neutered through castration, and female dogs must be spayed. An RCVS-registered veterinary surgeon must perform the neutering procedure."

Dogs which are at least seven months old but less than 12 months still have until December 31, 2024 for their receipt to be handed in. Dogs less than seven months old will have until June 30, 2025.