GMP top league for seized dogs after new XL bully laws

A year on since the government announced the XL bully ban research has revealed Greater Manchester Police as having seized the most dogs. An average of 19 dogs per week were seized by the force in the last 12 months.

The government declared in October 2023 American XL bully dogs were to be added to the list of banned dog breeds. New rules came into force on December 31. From that date, it was illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, rehome, abandon or allow XL bully dogs to stray in England and Wales. They must also be kept on a lead and muzzled in public.

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From February 1st this year, it will be illegal to own an XL bully dog unless it is is on an exempt list, called the Index of Exempted Dogs. Those who wanted to keep their dogs had until the end of January this year to register them with the exempt list.

Now in responding to a Freedom of Information request GMP has revealed that since November 2023 it has seized 1000 dogs, just over 19 a week on average. Of those seized 337 were put down.

The figures were acquired by Puppies.co.uk to whom 27 of the forces in the UK responded out of 45. They established that across the UK 114 dogs were seized each week. The highest number of dogs seized per week after GMP was West Midlands (17), followed by Northumbria (9); West Yorkshire (8); and Leicestershire (6).

A police force issued an 'unreserved apology' to a family last month after their pet XL Bully dog was put down by mistake. Lancashire Police said the dog, named Bruno, was put down due to an "administration error". The force euthanised the seized dog while the owners were in the process of applying for an exemption to keep him.

A spokesperson at Puppies.co.uk said, “While the recent data on dog seizures is concerning, it's crucial to remember that focusing on breed-specific bans is not the answer to promoting public safety. The Dangerous Dogs Act has been in effect for over three decades and yet, hospital admissions due to dog bites continue to rise.

"Instead of focusing on breed, the emphasis should be on addressing the root causes of dog aggression, which generally stem from irresponsible ownership and breeding practices. Dogs, regardless of breed, can exhibit aggressive behaviour if they are not properly trained, socialised, and cared for. Tighter breeding legislation and increased resources for enforcement are necessary to combat the rise of illegal and low-welfare breeders who prioritise profit over the well-being of the animals.

"Furthermore, early intervention strategies that identify and address concerning behaviours before they escalate are crucial. This includes providing training resources to dog owners and establishing clear protocols for reporting and managing potentially dangerous dogs. Not to mention, this will reduce the burden on police forces that work tirelessly to manage dangerous dogs and ensure public safety.”

Qarrar Somji, Director and Solicitor-Advocate at Birmingham-based Witan Solicitors, said: “Although the XL Bully ban aims to enhance public safety, it has critical flaws that undermine its fairness and effectiveness. The ban’s reliance on breed-specific identification is problematic, as law enforcement officers need to distinguish XL Bullies from similar breeds, which is difficult due to the breed’s non-standardised features.

"This can lead to misidentifications and wrongful seizures of non-XL Bullies. The focus on breed also disregards the role of responsible ownership in preventing aggression. Not to mention, unclear identification guidelines can lead to subjective enforcement. This means that some owners may face severe penalties. A more effective approach would be to strengthen current laws to focus on individual dog behaviour and responsible ownership, alongside education and training resources.”

Earlier this month a man appeared in court after his XL bully killed his neighbour. The dog, named in court documents as Titan, attacked Ian Langley as he walked his puppy.

The 54-year-old suffered fatal neck injuries. Titan, described in court documents as an 'American bully XL' dog, was dangerously out of control at the time.

Christopher Bell, 45, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on November 18th where he admitted owning Titan. Mr Langley died following the attack in Shiney Row, near Sunderland, on October 3 last year.

Police shot Titan at the scene to protect the public. It was understood at the time that another XL bully was taken away by police for public safety.

Bell, formerly of Maple Terrace, Shiney Row, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog which caused injury leading to death while dangerously out of control in a public place. Bell, now living in Coltman Street, Hull, was granted bail and will be sentenced on January 27.

GMP were asked for comment.