The American Bully XL breed is legal in the UK
South Yorkshire Police Chiefs have expressed concern over a sharp rise in the number of incidents involving the breed of dog known as the American Bully XL.
South Yorkshire Police said incidents involving dangerous dogs across the county had more than doubled in five years.
But the American XL Bully, which is not a prohibited breed, was “disproportionately represented”, the force said.
The Dogs Trust said there was no evidence the rise in incidents was due to any particular breed.
Deputy Chief Constable Dan Thorpe, of South Yorkshire Police, said each year police have seen “a significant increase in dangerous dog-related incidents”.
“In 2018 we saw 77 such incidents, and we have already seen 180 in the first six months of this year,” he added.
ACC Thorpe said the American XL Bully breed made up 25% of all dogs forcibly seized since January last year.
“We cannot ignore the fact that the XL Bully breed is disproportionately represented in the number of dog attacks we see,” he said.
Dan Thorpe of the South Yorkshire ACC says the XL Bully breed is ‘disproportionately represented’ in dog attacks
The breed, which is legal, has been responsible for a number of recent fatal dog attacks in the UK, according to South Yorkshire Police.
A total of 89 dogs had to be destroyed in such incidents last year to protect public safety, the force said.
ACC Thorpe said, “In the time it takes us to get there, any of these incidents could easily result in serious injury or even death.
“There is a harsh reality to this. We have had incidents in South Yorkshire where XL Bully dogs have caused serious injury to children and adults.
“A South Yorkshire woman bought two XL Bully dogs thinking they were gentle giants. These dogs turned on her in her home and caused her life-threatening injuries,” he added.
“Contained puppies”
South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings has said in recent months that he has been increasingly concerned about the number of dog attacks in the county.
Many people bought dogs for the first time during the pandemic, despite having no prior experience and access to dog training classes during this time, he said. .
“These confined puppies have now grown into mature dogs and we are seeing the consequences.”
Dr Billings said this was not just a problem in South Yorkshire and that 2022 had been the worst year nationally for deaths caused by dogs.
“There are certain breeds that should not be placed in homes with children due to their unpredictability and prone nature to suddenly turn around and become aggressive,” he said.
“I have raised my concerns with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and they are in direct contact with ministers.”
In response, a Defra spokesperson said: “We take the issue of dangerous dogs and fatal dog attacks seriously, and ensure that coercive measures are used to the full. »
They said the measures ranged from community protection notices that could be served for low-level antisocial behavior to breaches of the Dangerous Dogs Act.
image sources, South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Police say the number of dangerous dog-related incidents has more than doubled in five years
A spokesperson for the Dogs Trust said research had shown that “no breed of dog is more likely to be aggressive than another”.
“There is no evidence that the reported increase in dog attacks is due to any particular breed of dog because even in fatal cases the breed of dog does not need to be registered,” they said. they added.
The charity said it was calling for the law to be changed to allow for “early intervention”, with a “focus on preventing” incidents of dog bites.
“However, any new approach must be preventative, neutral and evidence-based,” the Dogs Trust spokesperson added.