Welsh Government welcomes plan to ban American Bully XL

Home Secretary, Suella Braverman appeared to set the Government action into motion after stating on Sunday that she had commissioned “urgent advice on banning” XL bullies following a video of a incident that went viral when an 11-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in Birmingham.

A 10-year-old boy was killed by an American Bully XL dog named ‘Beast’ in Caerphilly two years ago.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said she had written to the UK Government a number of times over the years asking for the issue of American XL Bully breed attacks to be addressed.

Ms Griffiths said: “I welcome today’s news that steps are at last  being taken to deal with the American Bully XL dog, following a number of attacks and fatalities.

“I have  written to the UK Government over many years asking them to address the number of incidents involving American XL Bully Breeds, and to look at how the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can be improved.

“Just this week I raised the matter again with the DEFRA Secretary of State and I look forward to seeing the detail of the measures.

“My officials will work closely with UK Government to ensure the ban does not negatively affect public safety, dog welfare or pressure on the wider animal welfare sector

“Promotion of responsible dog ownership is a priority for the Welsh Government and our Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs outlines the obligations on owners to keep their dogs under control.

“Our Programme for Government includes several measures that will improve standards of dog breeding and keeping in Wales.

“We will continue to keep under constant review what we can do here in Wales to prevent the dangers posed by irresponsible dog ownership, while promoting the benefits that dogs can bring to society.”

Attacks

Mr Sunak has  ordered ministers to bring together police and experts to define the breed of dog behind these attacks so they can then be outlawed.

In a video posted on social media, the Conservative Party leader said: “We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.

“These dogs are dangerous, I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe.”

Lord Baker, the architect of the Act during the Sir John Major era, said American XL bully dogs should be “neutered or destroyed” once the ban has come into force, with any permitted to live being “muzzled for the entire time”.

Dangerous Dogs Act

Emma Whitfield, whose 10-year-old son Jack Lis was killed  in Caerphilly  in 2021, has called for the updating of the Dangerous Dogs Act which was first introduced 30 years ago.

“Today’s news has come as a huge shock,” she said.

“Moments before I saw the Prime Minister’s announcement I posted about the recent attacks, one of those fatal, and how they must stop – regardless of breed. I still firmly believe this.

“From the beginning I have been asking for better legislation around breeding laws, responsible ownership laws and tougher sentencing for those who do not follow the laws.

“This reaction from the Government absolutely cannot be the only step they take, it has also not been finalised, and they have changed their mind from last month and it could all change again.

“But regardless of whatever the outcome is, the Dangerous Dogs Act needs massively updating to stop backyard breeders and irresponsible owners of all dogs.

“Otherwise, as a country we will see ourselves in the same position again and more and more dogs will be abused through loopholes that obviously exist.

“The need to amend the Dangerous Dogs Act or bringing in a whole new piece of legislation cannot be left and swept under the carpet. More needs doing. It cannot stop here.”