In a concerning revelation, recent government data has exposed the presence of more than 3,000 banned dogs living with their owners across England, Scotland, and Wales.
This information, acquired through a Freedom of Information request by the BBC from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), highlights the magnitude of the issue.
The data reveals that the majority of these banned dogs are pit bull terriers, with a staggering 3,316 residing in England, 149 in Wales, and 13 in Scotland.
A decade ago, the number of banned dogs stood at 2,323, with 2,317 of them being pit bulls. The Dangerous Dogs Act currently lists four breeds, including the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo argentino, and fila brasileiro, subject to strict regulations.
Owners of these banned breeds face the prospect of having their dogs taken away unless they are deemed safe through placement on the index of exempt dogs. This determination is made by the court, requiring owners to prove their responsibility and adhere to stringent ownership rules, such as the use of muzzles.
The spotlight on banned dogs intensified last month when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to include American XL bully dogs in the Dangerous Dogs Act list by the year’s end. This decision came in response to a series of attacks, emphasising the perceived threat these dogs pose to communities.
Recent incidents, including a woman in Norfolk being injured by her own American XL bully, have underscored the urgency of addressing the issue. Shocking footage of police confronting aggressive XL Bully dogs with riot shields and lasso sticks highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement.
As the government takes steps towards implementing the ban, Environment Secretary Therese Coffey expressed optimism about the progress. Coffey stated that a ‘good definition’ of the breed had been agreed upon, with only minor details such as compensation needing final approval.
Estimates suggest there are approximately 10,000 to 15,000 American XL bullies in the UK, posing a significant challenge for authorities to assess and regulate.
