One sentence summary – The UK government plans to ban American XL bully dogs following a series of recent dog attacks, with concerns raised about public safety and calls for broader reforms in dog-related legislation.
At a glance
- UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledges to ban American XL bully dogs in response to recent dog attacks
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson expresses horror at the attacks and emphasizes the need to stop them
- South Yorkshire Police report four separate dog attacks on children within two days
- The Dog Control Coalition urges the government to address the root causes of attacks, such as irresponsible breeders and owners
- The government plans to implement the ban under the Dangerous Dogs Act and aims to have new legislation in place by the end of the year
The details
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged to ban American XL bully dogs in response to a series of recent dog attacks.
These attacks have resulted in injuries and fatalities.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed his shared horror at these attacks.
Johnson emphasized that these attacks cannot be allowed to continue.
The decision to consider a ban on American XL bully dogs was already underway following a previous attack in Birmingham.
This attack left an 11-year-old girl with severe injuries.
South Yorkshire Police reported four separate dog attacks on children within a span of two days.
One of these attacks involved a 15-year-old who was taken to the hospital after being attacked by an XL bully dog in Sheffield.
Authorities in London are currently searching for the owner of a grey pitbull-type dog that attacked a four-year-old boy.
The Dog Control Coalition, consisting of renowned animal charities such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, and the Kennel Club, has expressed its belief that banning American XL bully dogs will not solve the issue.
The coalition urges the government to address the root causes of such attacks, such as irresponsible breeders and owners.
The prime minister has instructed ministers to clearly define the breed of dog responsible for these attacks and promptly outlaw it.
Currently, the American XL bully dog is not legally recognized as a specific breed.
Therefore, it is crucial that this step be taken swiftly to ensure public safety.
The government plans to implement the ban under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The aim is to have new legislation in place by the end of the year.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has also expressed her support for the ban.
Braverman stressed that these dogs pose a threat to life and cause misery within communities.
Downing Street has denied allegations that the government has been slow to respond to the issue.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential unintended consequences of the ban.
The American XL bully dog is not officially recognized as a breed by the Kennel Club.
This has led some to call for a broader overhaul of existing legislation.
The focus of this overhaul would be on the actions of individual dogs rather than specific breeds.
Campaign groups, including Bully Watch and the Campaign for Evidence-Based Regulation of Dangerous Dogs, have welcomed the government’s planned ban.
They argue that the American XL bully dog breed poses a clear and present threat to public health.
These groups believe that the ban will enable the government and police to take proactive measures to prevent further harm.
The UK government has committed to banning American XL bully dogs following a series of attacks.
The decision comes after growing concerns about public safety and calls for action from various campaign groups.
While the ban is supported by many, there are concerns about potential unintended consequences.
There is also a need for broader reforms in dog-related legislation.
The government aims to define the breed swiftly.
New laws are expected to be in place by the end of the year.
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| news.sky.com |
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| – Rishi Sunak has vowed to ban American XL bully dogs after a man was mauled to death. – |
| The prime minister said he shared the nation’s horror at such attacks and they could not be allowed to continue. – |
| A ban on American XL bully dogs was already being considered after an attack in Birmingham that left an 11-year-old girl with serious injuries. |
| – South Yorkshire Police reported four separate dog attacks on children in two days, including one where a 15-year-old was taken to hospital after being attacked by an XL bully in Sheffield. – Police in London are also searching for the owner of a grey pitbull-type dog that attacked a four-year-old boy. – |
| The Dog Control Coalition, which includes animal charities such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, and the Kennel Club, said banning XL bully dogs will not stop attacks. – |
| The coalition is urging ministers to address the root causes of attacks, such as irresponsible breeders and owners. |
| – |
| The prime minister has tasked ministers with defining the breed of dog behind these attacks and outlawing it. – |
| The American XL bully dog is not currently defined in law, so this step must happen quickly. |
| – |
| The government plans to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and have new laws in place by the end of the year. |
| – Home Secretary Suella Braverman also supports the ban, calling the dogs a threat to life and a cause of misery in communities. – Downing Street denies that the government has taken too long to ban American XL bully dogs. |
| – Concerns have been raised that a ban may inadvertently outlaw other types of dogs, as the American XL bully is not recognized as a breed by the Kennel Club. – Some are calling for an overhaul of existing legislation to focus on the deed rather than the breed. – Campaign groups, including Bully Watch and the Campaign for Evidence Based Regulation of Dangerous Dogs, have welcomed the planned ban. |
| – |
| They claim that the breed is a clear and present threat to public health and that the ban will allow the government and police to act before more harm is done. |
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