UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday made an announcement regarding the ban on American XL Bully dogs in the United Kingdom. In a video shared on social media, PM Sunak expressed concerns about the breed, labeling them as “dangerous.”
He revealed that the government plans to outlaw this breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act, with new legislation expected to be in place by the end of the year.
“It’s clear the American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities. I’ve ordered urgent work to define and ban this breed so we can end these violent attacks and keep people safe,” stated Rishi Sunak in his video message.
In the video, PM Sunak highlighted the need for this ban in response to recent attacks involving American XL Bully dogs within the community. He emphasized that this issue extends beyond isolated incidents of poorly trained dogs and constitutes a recurring pattern of behavior that must be addressed.
Since its posting, the video has rapidly gained traction, amassing over 1.2 million views. While some individuals criticized the Prime Minister’s decision, others expressed support for the breed. Many argued that the responsibility for these incidents lies with the owners rather than the breed itself.
At present, the United Kingdom already has restrictions on four specific dog breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act: Japanese Tosas, Fila Brasileiros, Dogo Argentinos, and pit bull terriers. Ownership of these banned breeds can result in penalties, including a prison sentence of up to six months and an unlimited fine.
