Pets
England: Ban on XL Bullys – many dogs are threatened with death
XL Bullies are mixed breeds that come from a pit bull terrier breed. photo
© Jacob King/PA Media/dpa
Several fatal dog attacks have recently caused such a stir in England and Wales that the British government has decided to ban so-called XL Bullies. But there are also doubts.
He still tried to get the animal away from him To drag brother away – in vain. The 54-year-old watched in horror as his dog bit the man, three years his junior, to death. Because he didn’t have his dog under control, he is now threatened with imprisonment. It is incidents like this that have repeatedly caused a stir in Great Britain.
September 14th: Two dogs jump out of a window into the neighboring garden in the city of Stoke and attack a man – he dies. October 4th: A dog attacks a man near Sunderland in northeast England – the 54-year-old dies from his serious injuries. Many people particularly remember the death of ten-year-old Jack in Wales. He was visiting a school friend when a large dog named “Beast” attacked him. The boy died.
So-called XL Bullies are often involved, a mixed breed that is based on a Pitbull-Terrier species. The public outrage was so great that the British government recognized the previously unclassified dogs as a separate breed – and immediately banned them. From December 31st, the animals may no longer be sold, and from February 1st, 2024, owning them will also be punishable. Unless the owners can prove that their dog is not dangerous and provide an exemption. The animals must then wear a muzzle, be on a leash and be neutered.
At least 246 shelter dogs have to be euthanized
The consequences are not yet foreseeable. The broadcaster Sky News recently reported that at least 246 dogs in animal shelters would have to be euthanized if they do not find a new owner before the end of the year. Apparently no one knows exactly how many animals are affected by the ban. The government estimates there are around 10,000 individuals in England and Wales, while animal rights activists estimate there are 15,000. The BBC speculated there were at least 30,000 XL Bullies based on figures from veterinary company IVC Evidensia.
But critics doubt that the ban will actually protect the population, as the government claims. In fact, dog attacks could increase if the animals are only allowed to be kept in houses and apartments, warned expert Dave Martin on the BBC. There they lack stimulation and movement. Several MPs also called for the ban to be discussed on Thursday, the PA news agency reported.
Animal welfare organizations fear that breeders will switch to other dog breeds – such as the Caucasian Ovcharka. These animals are “bigger, stronger and potentially more dangerous in the wrong hands” than XL Bullies, a breeder who wished to remain anonymous recently told the BBC. There are already increasing reports that XL Bullies are being abandoned in nature or in front of animal shelters. Videos of “rescue operations” in which dogs are brought to Scotland and sold are circulating on social media. The British government can only impose the ban in England and Wales.
XL Bully is not classified as a breed in this country
In Germany, the American XL Bully is not yet classified as a breed and therefore does not appear in the lists of dangerous dogs – in contrast to breeds such as Pitbull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier. An import ban also applies to them. However, there is no nationwide regulation for keeping fighting dogs. The individual federal states list which breeds are considered dangerous. Special rules apply to these animals, such as a permit requirement, a leash and muzzle requirement, and an insurance requirement.
There are lively discussions about the so-called racial lists: supporters see increased protection for people from attacks. Opponents criticize discrimination against entire races. Dogs only become aggressive if they are kept incorrectly – regardless of the breed.
What is the situation in Germany?
According to the Central Association of Zoological Specialist Companies, more than ten million dogs live in Germany. According to the online health reporting database in this country, a single-digit number of people die every year from dog bites or after dog kicks. Most recently there were six such deaths in Germany in 2020, five in 2021 and four in 2022.
However, according to dog bite statistics in 2022, there were almost 490 slightly injured and 87 seriously injured in Berlin alone. Although not recognized as a breed, the administrative court in the capital ruled a year ago to classify the bully as a dangerous dog, citing the dog law in the capital. Accordingly, essential characteristics of an animal are sufficient if they correspond to a breed in the law. For the court, in the Bully’s case, this is the American Staffordshire Terrier, which is considered a dangerous dog breed.