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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent

‘Huge’ increase in kennelling and vet spending by police after XL bully ban

Police RSPCA
An XL bully dog
West Mercia police recorded a 774% interest in kennelling and veterinary costs between 2022-23 and 2025-26. Photograph: Jacob King/PA

Police spending on kennels and veterinary bills in England and Wales has more than tripled since the XL bully ban came into force, with some forces recording an almost 500% spending increase since the new law was enacted in 2024.

Data from 22 police forces obtained via freedom of information requests showed police spending had soared from an average of £137,400 per force in 2022-23 to £423,136 in 2024-25.

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