In a tragic incident that occurred in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, an 11-year-old girl named Ana Paun fell victim to an attack by an XL Bully crossbreed, resulting in 23 fatalities in 3 years. The distressing incident prompted former Home Secretary Suella Braveman to urgently seek advice on banning American XL Bully dogs.
The horrifying event, which unfolded a year ago, gained widespread attention and raised concerns among the UK populace. After footage of the crossbreed attacking the young girl surfaced on TikTok,
Ms. Braveman declared the dogs to be a “clear and lethal” threat.
In response to this alarming incident, new restrictions on XL Bully crossbreeds are now in force, aiming to enhance public safety and prevent further tragic occurrences.
Ana Paun, the 11-year-old survivor, expressed her sentiments on Sky News, stating,
“I want him to go and die. I think dogs like that should be banned.
“The owner should be in prison. He never did anything. He just let the dog bite everyone.”
Video: Sky news
It is now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon these dogs or let them stray.
New restrictions on the XL Bully dogs are now in force (31 December) making it a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public. It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray from today.
The decision to ban XL Bully dogs was made following a concerning rise in attacks from these dangerous dogs, with
23 people sadly losing their lives after vicious dog attacks in the last three years.
XL Bullies have been involved in many of these tragic deaths.
Owners are also being urged to apply to register their current XL Bully dogs, as the Government takes action to safely manage the existing population of the breed.
There is only a month left to meet the deadline when the ban comes into force on 1 February.
Owning an unregistered dog after this date will be a criminal offence, with owners who don’t facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine.
Owners who do not want to keep their dogs after this date should take them to a vet to have them put down.
If owners are unsure whether their dog could be classed as an XL Bully, they should check their dog carefully against our guidance and photo examples of XL Bully dogs to help them decide.
The Government has taken a staggered approach to safely manage the existing population of XL Bully dogs, while ultimately banning the breed.
On the 31 October, XL Bully dogs were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act, with owners given two months to prepare for the first stage of the ban.
Since the 3 December [today], it is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray. All XL Bully dogs must also be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.
From 1st February all XL Bully dogs which must be registered.
From 30 June, XL Bully dogs over 1 year old must be neutered, this is extended until the 31 December for younger dogs.