USPCA warns simple ban on XL Bully dogs ‘will not reduce injuries and attacks’

Since the Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) came into effect 32 years ago, the charity pointed out that it has not been effective in reducing dog bites and human deaths and urged the Northern Ireland government to take an “evidence-based approach” when dealing with potentially dangerous dogs.

“Simply adding more breeds to the banned breed list without addressing other aspects of this complex multi-factorial issue, will not protect the public,” they said, adding that there is “currently no robust research to demonstrate that XL Bully breeds or types are any more aggressive than other dogs.”

“Aggressive behaviour can be influenced by factors such as how they are bred, reared and experiences throughout their life,” the charity said.

“There needs to be a stronger focus on the enforcement of legislation on those irresponsible owners and breeders.”

Earlier this year Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced XL Bullies would be banned following a spate of attacks. The ban, however, will only apply to England and Wales — not Northern Ireland — and will come into effect from February 1.

New restrictions in England and Wales came into effect yesterday, meaning XL bully dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public under new restrictions.

Breeding, selling or abandoning the dogs also became illegal there yesterday, with owners being urged to apply for a certificate of exemption for current pets before a January 31 deadline. As well as neutering XL Bullies, owners seeking an exemption must also pay an application fee, hold active public liability insurance for their pets and ensure the dogs are microchipped.

USPCA chief executive Nora Smith has advised owners of XL Bully-type dogs here to ensure their pet is registered at a vet, microchipped and licensed.

“We sincerely hope that [the Government] take an evidence-based approach to dealing with dangerous dogs in Northern Ireland. Early indications from the Scottish government are that they will not be following the BSL which is shortly being introduced to England and Wales,” she added.

Concerns have previously been raised by the USPCA that Northern Ireland could become a “dumping ground” for these dogs as the ban will not extend here.

“This could result in these dogs being placed with owners with little or no experience of the breed, which would compromise the welfare of the dog and potentially also public safety,” said the charity spokesperson.

The owners of Halfway Dog House Rescue in Ballymena said they have been “inundated” with messages and calls from dog wardens and other rescue centres unable to house them — not just from Northern Ireland but also from the Republic of Ireland and England since the announcement was made.

“We have been receiving up to 60 messages a day and honestly we feel so helpless because we can’t rehome them all,” they said.

“Rescues are really going to struggle after this ban comes into place, thousands of innocent dogs will be killed and it’s just awful.

“It’s the biggest ban to have ever come into place because it’s so widespread for this dog type and we are just struggling to cope, and I feel terrible every time.

“We only rehome Bully breeds, and as far as I know we are the only rescue who exclusively rehome this type of dog here.”

The rescue centre currently houses 18 Bully-type dogs and puts potential owners through a stringent interview process before agreeing to rehome the dog.

They claimed in their experience there was sometimes a lack of research about the breed by prospective owners who then physically cannot handle the animal and ultimately end up giving them away.

“These types of dogs get a bad reputation and people just don’t know how to handle them,” they said.

“No dog is born bad, it is all to do with how they were raised, and we have found the biggest issue with owning an XL Bully is separation anxiety.

“These are not wee dogs for the house and taking in a rescue can be stressful, taking anywhere from three months to three years for them to properly settle, you just don’t know, but now because people haven’t raised them properly or they have been mistreated they are now being banned.

“No Bully owner would ever condone the attacks that took place, but responsibility should also have been put on the owners of each of these dogs, where they came from and their background.

“This ban is not going to solve the problem, it is not the answer, it will only keep happening if there isn’t a clamp down or heavy fines for licensing and microchipping, as well as these backyard breeders.”

The USPCA will be holding a free online workshop on January 17, which will create a safe space for owners of XL Bully-type dogs to share concerns and questions.