South Holland MP Sir John Hayes says he’s had a commitment from the Prime Minister to ban a breed of dog, though the campaign has been criticised by groups such as the RSPCA.
He says Rishi Sunak had vowed to ban the American Bully XL dog by the end of the year.
Sir John claims XL dogs were responsible for half of all dog-related deaths between 2021 and June 2023, including a 17-month-old girl and a ten-year-old boy.
“I have been approached by many people, in my constituency and throughout the UK, who have shared their shocking accounts about being attacked by vicious dogs or of knowing someone who has been,” he said. “It is welcome news that the government has seen sense and will ban these vicious dogs.
“Of course, the details of this will need to be sorted out carefully and sensitively, but ministers deserve credit for doing the right thing.”
American Bully XLs were bred using a mixture of pit bulls and bulldogs and first came to the UK around 2014.
If the ban comes into effect ministers have said there will be a transitional period during which people who own the dogs would need to come forward.
The Dog Control Coalition – which is made up of RSPCA, Blue Cross, Battersea, Dogs Trust, Hope Rescue, Scottish SPCA, The Kennel Club and British Veterinary Association – has long campaigned against banning specific types of dog, which, it says, fails as a solution to this urgent problem.
The coalition, said in a statement: “The recent incidents are deeply distressing and our thoughts are with all those involved and affected.
“The biggest priority for everyone involved is to protect the public – but banning the breed will sadly not stop these types of incidents recurring.
“For 32 years, the Dangerous Dogs Act has focused on banning types of dog and yet has coincided with an increase in dog bites and the recent deaths show that this approach isn’t working.
“The UK Government must tackle the root issue by dealing with the unscrupulous breeders, who are putting profit before welfare, and the irresponsible owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control.
“The coalition urges the Prime Minister to work with them to fully understand the wide-reaching consequences of his decision to ban American Bully XLs, which will have significant impacts on owners, the animal welfare sector, vets, law enforcement and the public.
“It is also critical that any policy designed to protect public safety is based on robust evidence and we are deeply concerned about the lack of data behind this decision and its potential to prevent dog bites.”
