More people will be killed unless American Bully XL dogs are banned in the UK, according to experts. The number of deaths from dog attacks in the UK went from 4 in 2021 to 10 in 2022 - most involving the breed. There has also been an 88% increase in hospital attendance with dog-related injuries.
There have been at least two more fatal attacks involving American Bullies this year.
Stan Rawlinson, a dog behaviourist who was an expert witness for the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, told MailOnline : "We averaged three dog attack deaths a year for the past 25 years... we had 10 last year with up to seven related to the XL Bully. This is only going to get worse.
"They could kill you in about a minute and the worst thing is no one knows how many there are in the UK. There are at least thousands but we just don't know for sure.
He said: "It's going to get considerably worse," and added: "I wouldn't go near one. I've been around all sorts of dogs, even the most dangerous. But these XL Bully dogs are very reactive."
He said: "More people are going to die unless we do something about it.
The term American Bully XL typically refers to a specific type or variation of the American Bully breed. The American Bully is a relatively new breed that was developed in the United States and recognized by various canine registries and kennel clubs. The American Bully is often confused with the American Pit Bull Terrier, but they are distinct breeds with different characteristics.
The American Bully XL is a larger and more muscular variant within the American Bully breed. The "XL" in its name stands for extra-large, indicating that these dogs are bred for a larger size compared to other American Bully types. XL Bullies have a heavily muscled build, broad chest, and a strong, powerful appearance. They often have a wide and blocky head with a strong jawline.
Elisa Allen, from PETA, told the Mail: "Most serious and fatal dog attacks are by bully breeds." She said the dogs are 'prey-focused and hard to distract once in attack mode' and 'have extremely muscular, powerful bodies with strong jaws'.
She is calling for all American Bullies in the UK to be spayed or neutered, to end the bloodline.
Dr Lawrence Newport, a law lecturer who recently published a report on the Bully XL, told MailOnline: "These dogs were historically bred for fighting so we should not be surprised that even good owners have found themselves, or their children, maimed or even killed by these dogs."
He said the dogs should be immediately banned.
Vet Marc Abraham added: "These dogs are a nightmare when they are in the wrong hands, and the trouble is, very few people have the right hands."
He added: "They are trained to be killers.'
There has been an 88 per cent increase in hospital attendances with dog injuries, from 4,699 in 2007 to 8,819 in 2021-22.
The mother of a 10-year-old boy who died after being mauled by a dog has called for a change in the law, saying “enough is enough”.
Emma Whitfield, 32, is calling for “Jack Lis Law”, named after her son who died in November 2021 in Pentwyn, Penyrheol, near Caerphilly, South Wales, after the attack by an XL Bully – a breed developed from the American pit bull terrier.
She told the Daily Mirror, which is backing the campaign for a change in the law: “I still have terrible flashbacks. I still see the animal and its teeth. I hear the barking.
“You relive it multiple times a day – it’s torture.
Flowers left outside the house in Pentwyn, Penyrheol, near Caerphilly where Jack Lis was killed by a dog (Bronwen Weatherby/PA)
“I still find it unbelievable. Sat on the sofa or on the way home, it hits you all over again.”
The dog’s owner Brandon Hayden, then 19, was sentenced in June 2022 to just over four years at a young offenders’ institution and Amy Salter, then 29, was jailed for three years after they pleaded guilty to being in charge of the out of control dog, which was named Beast.
A further 15 people have lost their lives in dog attacks in the 18 months since Jack’s death, including an 83-year-old woman in Caerphilly, while there were nearly 22,000 cases of injuries from out of control dogs in 2022.
Jack’s mother said: “Enough is enough. This has to stop.
It's out of control and there are people losing their kids because of this. I want to stop this happening
Emma Whitfield
“It’s mind-blowing how it keeps happening. It should never have happened to Jack but why has nobody learned from this?
“Innocent people are dying. The Government needs to act now. It’s out of control and there are people losing their kids because of this. I want to stop this happening.”
She said certain types of dogs have become “status symbols” and said not all breeders or owners need policing under new legislation.
“To me it is not different than having a lethal weapon,” she said.
“My problem is with backyard breeders who don’t care where the dogs go. There is no reason why a dog needs to sell for £10,000 to go into a family home.”
CCTV still dated 4/11/2021 of the dog Beast outside the village shop Top Stores on Heol Aneurin, Caerphilly, after it ran at a boy who dropped his scooter (Gwent Police/PA)
She also called for tougher sentences with Salter possibly being released from prison before the end of the year.
“She only missed one Christmas when we have lost a lifetime of them,” Ms Whitfield said.
The campaign for the “Jack Lis Law” is backed by the Mirror, the Dog Control Coalition – which includes the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – and Caerphilly’s Labour MP Wayne David.
They are calling for a different approach to dog legislation which includes all dogs and focuses on breeding, training and the sale of dogs.
Calling the problem an epidemic, Mr David said: “We have to ask who is next?
“There can be no doubt that radical reform is needed to dog law. This will only happen when everyone who is concerned pulls together.
“I’m quoting the police when I say there is more money in selling dogs for some criminals than selling drugs. I’m determined to see this issue addressed by the Government as soon as humanly possible.”
He has previously called for the reintroduction of dog licences.
RSPCA head of companion animals Dr Samantha Gaines said: “The Dangerous Dogs Act has failed to protect the public from the risk of bites, we want a new approach.
“It is also essential measures are available to deter and punish owners of dogs whose behaviour is dangerous.”
The XL Bully is not recognised as an official breed by the UK’s Kennel Club.
Downing Street said a working group involving the police, councils and animal welfare experts is looking at ways to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible ownership.
“There have been some horrific cases and our thoughts and sympathies are with those that have been affected,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.
“We know dog attacks can lead to tragic consequences and that’s why we have a number of measures in place to protect people.”
