PM says breed ‘is a danger to our communities’ and will be outlawed by the end of the year, after series of attacks
The American XL bully dog breed will be banned by the end of the year after a series of attacks, Rishi Sunak has said.
In a video statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, the prime minister said he had asked ministers to work with police and experts to define the breed, which is not formally recognised by the Royal Kennel Club, “with a view to outlawing it”.
“The American XL bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children,” he said. “I share the nation’s horror at the recent videos we’ve all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.
“It is not currently a breed defined in law, so this vital first step must happen fast. It is clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, it’s a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.”
On Friday, it was confirmed a man in Stonnall had died after an attack by two dogs, with residents suggesting they may have been XL bully dogs.
