More than 22,000 XL bullies spared cull since new laws were introduced
Defra figures show 22,420 owners successfully applied for exemptions to keep their pets, despite ban being in force
MORE than 22,000 XL bully dogs have been spared after their owners successfully applied for exemptions to them being put down.
Figures published by the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), following a freedom of information request, show that 26,586 exemption applications have been made by owners who wish to keep their XL bullies following the ban.
Of these, 22,420 applications were successful and 4,166 were denied. It comes after police confirmed that two dogs that fatally attacked grandmother Esther Martin, aged 68, were XL bullies.
Ms Martin was killed at a house in Hillman Avenue, Jaywick, Essex, on February 3. She had reportedly tried to break up fighting puppies before she was attacked.
Asked to comment, Defra pointed to figures published earlier this month that showed more than 35,000 dogs have been registered, with full details of ownership provided.
In the accompanying statement, Defra said the ban delivers on the Government’s pledge to “take quick and decisive action to protect the public from devastating dog attacks”.
To qualify for an exemption certificate, owners must prove their XL bully has been neutered by June 30.
If they have a pup which was less than a year old on February 14, they must be neutered by the end of 2024, and evidence that they have done so must be provided.
As well as neutering their animals, XL bully owners seeking an exemption must pay an application fee, hold third party public liability insurance for their pets, and ensure the dogs are microchipped.
The total number of XL bullies has been estimated by animal groups at between 50,000 and 100,000, the RSPCA has said.
Since February 1 this year, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.
Unregistered pets will be taken away, and owners possibly fined and prosecuted.
Seized dogs will be taken to kennels before a court decides if they should either be destroyed or deemed not a danger to public safety.
The ban follows a series of attacks on people. In October last year, a woman was injured after she was attacked by her own American XL bully in Norfolk.
A month earlier, 52-year-old Ian Price, from Staffordshire, died in hospital after being attacked by two American XL bullies.
In November 2021, Jack Lis, 10, was killed by a American XL bully while at a friend’s house in South Wales.