Dog attack victims and campaigners who back XL bully ban say they face abuse

The American XL bully dog will be added to the list of banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in the new year. Photograph: Lee Hudson/Alamy

Dog attack victims, academics and professionals who publicly support the incoming ban on American XL bullies have received abuse at home, work and online in what has been labelled a “weird culture war”.

The UK government announced in September that the breed will be added to the list banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 after a rise in attacks and fatalities.