One year since ban announced, cruelty to XL Bully type dogs is on the rise

Reports of intentional harm to dogs reported to be XL Bullies increased by 164% in the first eight months of this year, figures from the RSPCA shows.

The animal charity is releasing the figures to mark the one year anniversary (15 September) of the UK Government announcing the breed would be banned. The law then came into force in England and Wales on 31 December last year.

The number of reports made to the RSPCA of intentional harm to XL Bullies in the first eight months of 2024 was 103, compared to 39 in the same time period in 2023 – shortly before the ban was announced, marking a rise of 164%.

Meanwhile, reports of abandoned XL Bullies have increased by 692% (103 from January to August 2024, compared to 13 for the same time period in 2023).

And reports of neglect towards the breed has increased 239% (366 from January to August 2024, compared to 108 in 2023).

Recent incidents which have been reported to the RSPCA include:

• The body and head of a decapitated XL Bully type dog found in a shallow grave in Evesham, Worcestershire, last week.
• A dead XL Bully found with head injuries in a Middlesbrough park in June.
• A cage with a dead XL Bully inside found floating in a Birmingham canal, also in June.
• An XL Bully puppy discovered dead in a cage in Bexleyheath in January, with blunt force trauma injuries to their head.
• Also in January, an XL Bully found dead in a South London alleyway with a fractured skull.

As a result of XL Bullies being banned, there are now five types of dogs which are illegal in England and Wales under the Dangerous Dogs Act – including the pit bull terrier, Japanese rosa, fila Brasiliero and dogo Argentino.

Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA’s dog welfare expert and the charity’s lead on breed specific legislation, said: “These are very concerning figures. We’ve seen an increase generally in reports of serious abuse to animals – particularly intentional harm and beatings – but the increase in reports relating specifically to XL Bully types is very alarming and we fear this is as a direct result of the recent UK Government ban on this type of dog.

“This could be a result of the extra pressures this ban has placed on desperate owners who may already be struggling to care for their dogs during this cost of living crisis. But even worse, these could be deliberate acts of cruelty towards dogs who have become increasingly demonised in recent months.

“We’re also heartbroken that many dogs have been and will be put to sleep simply because they are considered to be dangerous because they look a certain way.”

The RSPCA is a member of the Dog Control Coalition which has long been campaigning for an urgent review of legislation that bans dogs based on their type and appearance. Protecting public safety is a priority but the current dog control approach is not the answer and is failing to protect the public while also compromising dog welfare.

Tens of thousands of XL Bully type dogs were exempted by their owners after the UK Government announced the impending ban, and are now living under strict rules such as always being on the lead, muzzled in public and having been neutered.

As well as cases of deliberate cruelty to these dogs, the RSPCA is concerned about the welfare of thousands of other XL Bully type dogs as a result of the restrictions placed on them by the ban.