Experts have warned that the upcoming ban on American XL bully dogs may prove ineffective in the short term due to limited police resources and potential court backlogs. Some police forces have only one or two trained dog legislation officers, and courts may face hundreds of cases from owners seeking exemptions for their animals.
The UK's chief veterinary officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss, confirmed on Saturday that there would not be a cull of XL bully dogs. Instead, owners will be required to register their dogs, have them neutered, muzzled in public, and insured. The government is convening a panel to define the breed, with a ban expected by the end of the year.
Michael Barnett, a former dog legislation officer, described the ban as a "kneejerk reaction" and called for a focus on responsible ownership and breeding. He noted that the current system would not cope with the influx of cases. Daniel Shaw of Animal Behaviour Kent added that targeting one breed is not the right approach, as dog bites have risen despite the Dangerous Dogs Act since 1991.
The ban follows a spate of attacks, including the death of Ian Price in Staffordshire. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the ban on Friday, calling XL bullies a "danger to our communities." However, experts like Jeffrey Turner, a former Metropolitan police dog handler, said enforcement would take significant time and irresponsible owners were least likely to comply.
