A walk of XL Bully dogs will take place on Margate seafront tomorrow (December 30).
The walk along the prom will take place at 1pm and is being advertised as the last XL Bully unmuzzled meet up. All dogs will be on a lead.
Organisers say:
No reactive dogs, no dogs off lead, no bitches in season (please note this is including the 14 day cool off after the season has ‘finished’) Also if you have already exempted your dog it will have to be muzzled.
What law comes into force?
XL Bully dogs have been added to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
There are now five dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which include Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully.
The changes come into force in three stages. The announcement for the first stage occurred on 31 October 2023, and the second and third stages will take effect on 31 December 2023 and 1 February 2024.
The UK Government has put together official guidance to help define what an XL Bully dog is, which involves checking the dog’s physical characteristics to determine if they fit the type.
Some of the characteristics mentioned include but are not limited to:
- A large dog with a muscular body and blocky head.
- Height of males from 20in (51cm) and height of females from 19in (48cm).
- Heavily muscled body with a broad, deep chest with well-sprung ribs.
For the full list of characteristics, read the UK Government’s official guidance here.
Following the ban announcement on October 31, applications for exemption certificates for XL Bully owners began. Owners have until 31 January 2024 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to be registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
From 31 December, breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an American Bully XL dog to stray will be illegal. From this date, the dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public.
From 1 February 2024, it will then become illegal to own an American Bully XL dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
Rules include:
- Microchipping your dog.
- Muzzling your dog and keeping them on a lead in public.
- Neutering your dog.
- Taking out third-party insurance against your dog injuring other people – this can be provided through Dogs Trust Membership.
- Be over 16 years old.
Neutering will be compulsory for XL Bully dogs by 30 June 2024 for dogs over 1 year old on 31 January 2024, or by 31 December 2024 for dogs under 1 year old on 31 January 2024. All owners of XL Bully dogs will have to follow these specific guidelines.
If you are found in possession of an XL Bully dog without a Certification of Exemption, the law may subject you to a criminal record and an unlimited fine, and authorities could also seize your dog.
To apply for a Certificate of Exemption, owners will need to comply with certain requirements, which include:
- Neutering your dog.
- Microchipping your dog.
- Keeping your dog on a lead in public.
- Keeping your dog muzzled in public.
- Keeping your dog in a secure place where they can’t escape.
- Take out third-party insurance against your dog injuring other people.
- Be over 16 years old.
A Certificate of Exemption has a £92.40 application fee.
Find out how to apply for a Certificate of Exemption on Defra’s website.
The PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) says: “PDSA’s position on the Dangerous Dogs Act remains unchanged – breed specific legislation is ineffective because it has not resulted in a reduction of dog bites or human deaths.
“Whilst we agree urgent action is needed to protect the public from dangerous dogs, we’re disappointed the Government are pushing ahead with breed specific legislation.
“We’d like to see the Government focus on much needed extensive reform of the Dangerous Dogs Act, as we do not believe that adding ‘XL Bully’ dogs to the list of banned breeds will be an effective way of protecting the public.”
Information source PDSA and Dogs Trust
