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Experts doubt ban on American XL bullys will work as breed is 'not recognized'

As UK will ban American bullys by the end of 2023, some experts said the decision may be moot as it was very diffcult to define the breed

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: On Friday, September 15, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took to X, announcing a ban on the American XL bully dogs by the end of 2023. 

The move came following a string of recent suspected attacks by the said dog in Staffordshire and Birmingham, respectively, per the Daily Mail. 

After Sunak's announcement, several experts weighed in on the American XL bully dog breed and shared their insights on the decision being undertaken by the UK Prime Minister. 

Professor says 'no scientific consensus' shows particular breeds more likely to act aggressively than others

As per Science Media Centre, following Sunak's announcement, Carri Westgarth, professor in Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Liverpool, said, "There is no scientific consensus that particular breeds are more likely to act aggressively than others."

"Dogs of all breeds are represented in the dog bite records and we know there is wide variation in behaviour between individuals within a breed," she mentioned.

"There are also genetic tendencies towards aggression within particular breeding lines, so with any breed, breeding for good temperament is vitally important," theprofessor continued.

"Other factors such as socialisation, training methods, and health, are also significant for a dog’s risk of aggression," she added.

"However, the data does support the fact that large powerful dogs, including those of bull breeds, are more likely to do significant damage IF they do bite someone, and as such, XL Bullies and other large powerful breeds feature strongly in fatality lists," Westgarth mentioned.

"This announcement raises many questions that must be considered," the expert said.

"Key to the ban is the statement about looking into defining the XL Bully breed before it can be banned – however, proving a dog’s particular breed is difficult, especially when that breed is not recognised by most Kennel Clubs, and looks similar to other breeds," she pointed out. 

"This has complicated the application of the current legislation concerning Pitbull types, and likely will again with XL Bullies, which are also just one size type of the American Bully," she added.

"It also raises the question whether banning a single breed will encourage those who want to own such a type of dog turn to owning and breeding other types, as happened with the development of the American Bully after Pitbulls were banned," Westgarth stated.

"Overall, experts including anti-bully groups agree that if dog bites are to be effectively reduced, much more intervention and legislation are needed than simply banning one breed," the professor concluded. 

Veterinarian says American bully-type dogs can cause 'more severe wounds'

Dr Dave Martin, a leading veterinarian who acts as animal welfare adviser for around 1,000 vet practices under My Family Vets, told The Independent that a "very high percentage" will have had experience of dealing with dogs attacked by American bully-type breeds.

"Because these dogs are so much bigger, they’ve got very powerful jaws, they are naturally going to cause much more severe wounds," Dr Martin shared.

"If you get bitten by something that weighs 80kg [176lbs], it’s going to cause you serious and significant injury. You’re not going to get away lightly," he said.

He added adding that American bully XLs "are certainly more aggressive [with other dogs] than some other breeds."

Experienced dog behaviourist believes the American bully is a 'mutant'

Stan Rawlinson, a dog behaviourist with more than 20 years of experience who was called as an expert witness for the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, reportedly believes that the American bully is a 'mutant,' per the Daily Mail.

"They aren't an official breed, it's impossible to track them. The American pitbull has been banned since 1991 but they are still coming in," he told the publication.

"That dog is the starting point for the XL Bully and more are being brought in every day," he added. 

Rawlinson reportedly believes that if urgent action was not taken to stop the rise of the generically engineered American cross breeds from reaching the UK, it will result in the death of more people and pets.

''These dogs are a danger to women, children and everyone else. They should all be euthanized as a breed. There's something wrongly wired in these dogs," he mentioned.

"They can just flip. You’re talking nothing to full on and someone is dead in less than 15 seconds. You just can’t stop them," he shared.

Rawlinson added, "These dogs can rip people’s heads off. They’re incredibly powerful. They can open up your jugular veins almost immediately."

"They’re too dangerous to be in the hands of the general public. You wouldn’t walk around with a mountain lion on a lead – because that’s effectively what you’ve got," he concluded.