The ban on American XL bully dogs in England and Wales, implemented in December 2023, has led to a significant increase in seizures and costs. Police forces are struggling to cope with the number of dogs being held, with many kennels reaching capacity.
Police in England and Wales have seized over 1,900 suspected banned dogs in the first eight months of 2024, a dramatic increase from the previous year. The figures, released through a Freedom of Information request, show that 818 dogs have been destroyed since the ban on American XL bully dogs came into force in December 2023. The BBC reports that the costs of kennelling these seized dogs have risen sixfold to £25m a year, with many facilities reaching capacity.
Some dogs have been held in police kennels for months while their breed is confirmed. The government introduced the ban on American XL bully dogs in October 2023, making it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, rehome, abandon or allow them to stray. They must also be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. Greater Manchester Police have seized the most dogs, an average of 19 per week in the last 12 months. From February 1st this year, it became illegal to own an XL bully dog unless it is on an exempt list, called the Index of Exempted Dogs
XL Bully Dog Ban Seizures Kennels Costs
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