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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Clea Skopeliti

UK owners of existing American XL bully dogs face new rules but no cull

An American XL bully dog
Six of the 10 fatal dog attacks in the UK last year were linked to American XL bullies. Photograph: Tierfotoagentur/Alamy

The UK’s chief veterinary officer has stressed there will be an amnesty before a ban on American XL bully dogs, after an expert said the breed was behind almost half of all attacks on humans and dogs killed since 2021.

An amnesty for XL bullies would mean existing animals were not culled, but owners would be required to register and keep them leashed and muzzled in public, Christine Middlemiss said.

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