A recent incident involving an American Bully XL dog attacking an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham has sparked renewed discussions on whether this breed should be prohibited in the UK.
Following the attack, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took to X (formerly Twitter) and urged for immediate action to "define and ban this breed." Sunak asserted, "It is evident that the American XL Bully dog poses a threat to our communities. I have initiated urgent measures to specify and outlaw this breed to put an end to these violent incidents and ensure public safety."
As per a report from the BBC, the United Kennel Club in the United States has noted that "An American bully makes an excellent family dog. Despite its powerful appearance, their demeanour is gentle and friendly. However, dog aggression is characteristic of this breed." The American Bully is categorised into four variations: standard, pocket, classic, and XL.
According to BBC's coverage, Bully Watch, a consortium of policy experts based in London, stated that the American Bully made its entry into the UK "around 2014 or 2015" and saw a rapid increase in numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The spokesperson for Bully Watch explained, "Many individuals began acquiring these dogs with the intention of breeding. There are models of co-ownership where you receive the dog for free, but the dealer retains the right to breed from it," as reported by the BBC.
According to a spokesperson from Bully Watch, "We've documented some pretty brutal attacks, and it's become evident that the majority of individuals should not be owners of this breed."
A comprehensive study conducted by the BBC in March, based on police reports, has unveiled a concerning 34% rise in dog-related incidents since 2018. This alarming trend occurred despite a 15% increase in the estimated dog population in the UK during the same period.