Existing XL American bully dogs to be ‘safely managed’ under ban plan – No 10

Restrictions will be placed on XL American bully dogs to “safely manage” them once a ban on the breed comes into force.

Owners of American XL bullies will not face having their pets culled after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to ban the breed following a spate of dog attacks.

But Downing Street said measures would be put in place to cover the “existing population” of dogs in response to concerns they would still be allowed on the streets once the ban was imposed on new owners.

Existing owners could be forced to sterilize their dogs and muzzle them in public, the government’s chief veterinarian has suggested.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said: “We will need to safely manage the existing population of these dogs. Exactly what that looks like will be a matter for consultation.

“And there will need to be some sort of transition period.”

The first step in the process of banning American XL bullies will take place this week, with police, veterinarians and other experts helping to define the breed.

Then the consultation will take place on the ban, which will take place by the end of 2023.

The chief vet indicated on Saturday there would be an “amnesty” approach, echoing how the ban on pit bull terriers under the Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced in the 1990s.

Professor Christine Middlemiss said owners will need to register their American bully XL, with the dog required to be neutered, muzzled and leashed when in public.

They will also need to be insured.

She stressed that anyone respecting the new restrictions will be able to keep their dog.