Neglect of XL Bullies up 230% since ban

The RSPCA says more XL Bullies are suffering since being banned in England and Wales six months ago, with reports of intentional harm and neglect towards the type of dog now soaring.

Exclusive RSPCA figures reveal that reports of neglect relating to dogs reported as being XL Bully types have gone up 230% (from 164 in 2023, to 542 for the first six months of 2024).

Meanwhile, the number of reports of intentional harm to XL Bully type dogs has gone up 96% (78 in 2023, 153 for the first six months of 2024), while reports of XL Bully types dogs being left unattended has increased by 514% (21 in 2023, 129 for first six months of 2024).

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.

The number of reports of neglect and intentional harm towards XL Bullies seems to have risen since the ban came in.

RSPCA Dog Welfare Expert Dr Samantha Gaines is the charity’s lead on dog control and breed specific legislation. She said: “It is hugely concerning that  figures show a big jump in reports to us about cruelty and neglect specifically aimed at XL Bully type dogs since the start of the year.

“We’ve seen an increase generally in serious abuse to animals - particularly intentional harm and beatings - but the increase in reports relating specifically to XL Bully types is very alarming.

“We fear that 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.

The UK Government recently added the XL Bully to the list of banned types, making it illegal to own them in England and Wales since 1 February 2024. Bans in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have followed.

Five types of dogs are now banned in England and Wales , including the pit bull terrier type, Japanese tosa type, fila Brasiliero type, dogo Argentino type, and the XL Bully type, under the Dangerous Dogs Act - commonly known as breed specific legislation (BSL).

Dr Gaines added: “The RSPCA remains committed to protecting public safety around dogs and does not want to see anyone else dying as a result of a dog bite incident. However, the current approach to dog control is not working and needs a complete overhaul. We want to see any approach compatible with public safety and good dog welfare.”

Some examples of the shocking cases reported to the RSPCA, include:
An XL Bully type dog who was found dead in an alley in Carshalton, South London, with a fractured skull, an ear cut off, with his legs tied together, having been set on fire;
The bloodstained body of another XL Bully type found dumped in Bexleyheath, Kent, in a metal crate, with signs of blunt force trauma;
A male XL Bully type found deceased - possibly drowned - locked inside a cage floating in a canal in Birmingham.

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.

Dr Gaines added: “Tens of thousands of dogs are leading less fulfilling and enjoyable lives as a result of the ban and the restrictions placed upon their daily lives living under exemption.

“And we’re heartbroken that many dogs have been and will be euthanised simply because they are considered to be dangerous because they look a certain way.”

Storm’s story

Many RSPCA centres and branches were incredibly concerned about dogs in their care after the announcement that XL Bully type dogs were due to be banned.

Thankfully, the charity’s dedicated rehabilitation and rehoming teams were able to get many dogs who fell within the expected definition of an XL Bully type dog into new homes before the deadline (31 January 2023) - allowing them to be responsibly exempted within the legal time frame.

One of those lucky dogs was eight-year-old Storm, who was rescued by the RSPCA’s Bristol Animal Rehoming Centre (ARC)*.

The team got to know her quickly and found her to be friendly and playful. They knew she’d fit in well with a loving family but they had to find the right home, with owners who were prepared to exempt her, before the deadline.

Abi Oldfield, from Bristol ARC, said: “Storm was such a sweet, loveable girl, with a wonderful nature. We knew we had to do everything we could to get her into the right home before we deadline - while also preparing her for life as an exempted dog.

“We ensured she’d been fully assessed by a behaviourist and vet, and then we started her muzzle training which, thankfully, she took to well. And we launched our campaign to find her a home which was shared thousands of times on social media, and in the local press.

“We were thrilled when the perfect home came forward and wanted to give her the chance she needed.”

Storm is now living with Kristina Pardy and her family and three other dogs. Kristina, from Bristol, said: “Storm has become an integral part of our little family and has even become a wonderful role model for our puppy, Suki.

“She has her very own sofa which she spends most of her time on snoozing or watching TV. 

“We call her our little ol’ lady as she is an avid ambler and is never in a hurry to go anywhere! She does get excited and playful sometimes, rolling around like a baby, and we’re slowly teaching her how to play with toys - we don’t think she’d ever had toys before she arrived at the ARC.

“She has completed our family and we feel very lucky to have her in our lives.”

The family loves taking her for walks at the beach, and even threw her a birthday party when she turned eight. Over the summer, Storm, her three doggy pals and her family will be going on holiday.

New approach needed

Dr Gaines added: “We want to see the new UK Government commit to tackling the root causes of aggressive behaviour in dogs which are complex but include improving and enforcing current breeding and dog control regulations, and to promote responsible dog ownership, in order to effectively protect public safety while also ensuring better dog welfare.

“The ban on XL Bully types not only remains devastating for so many dogs, but continues to take a heavy toll on their owners who love their dogs. They’ve had to find funds to pay for the exemption process and exemption requirements - such as neutering - during a time when many household finances are tight. The process has also had a huge emotional impact on families who have been worried about saving their beloved dogs’ lives.”

✊🏻 To join the RSPCA calling for an End to BSL, join our campaign network online.

💙 The RSPCA receives a report of an animal being abused every five minutes in summer - and cruelty cases can reach a terrible peak at this time of year. No animal deserves heartbreaking abuse. That’s why the charity has launched its RSPCA No Animal Deserves Cruelty Appeal because we need to take action together to help animals. It’s the responsibility of us all to show kindness and compassion to all animals; everyone for every kind.

❌ A ban on XL Bully type dogs comes into force in Scotland today (1 August), following in the steps of England and Wales. Northern Ireland also introduced restrictions on XL Bully type dogs from 5 July, and the Republic of Ireland is due to follow suit from 1 October when selling and rehoming of XL Bully types will be prohibited.