American Bully Ban US The Impact on Responsible Dog Ownership

The American Bully ban in the US has sparked a heated debate about responsible dog ownership. The breed's popularity has led to irresponsible breeding and ownership, resulting in a surge in aggressive behavior.

Many owners of American Bullies are unaware of the breed's genetic predisposition to aggression, which can lead to biting incidents. According to the article, "In 2019, American Bullies were responsible for 12% of dog bites in the US, resulting in over 1,000 injuries and 5 fatalities."

Responsible dog ownership requires a significant investment of time, money, and effort. This includes providing regular exercise, training, and veterinary care, as well as ensuring the dog is properly socialized and restrained.

The American Bully's high energy level and strong prey drive make them a poor fit for inexperienced owners or those with small children. As the article states, "American Bullies require at least 1 hour of exercise per day and a securely fenced yard to prevent escape and injury."

Check this out: Bully Breed Ban Us

In the UK, the American Bully XL is not currently banned, but it will be added to the list of banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act by December 31st, 2023.

The ban applies to owning, breeding, selling, gifting, or abandoning an XL Bully type dog. From February 1st, 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a certificate of exemption.

If you're an owner in England and Wales, you'll need to apply for an exemption by the deadline, which has now passed. If you missed the deadline, contact your local police force for advice.

In Northern Ireland, the ban is already in place for breeding, selling, exchanging, gifting, or abandoning an XL Bully type dog. Owners must also keep their dogs muzzled and on a lead in public places.

Here's a summary of the ban dates in the UK:

Note that the Republic of Ireland has announced plans to ban the breed, but the exact date is not specified.

If you own an American Bully and live in England or Wales, you'll need to be aware of the third-party public liability insurance requirements. This cover is essential for banned breed owners, including those with exempted dogs.

The Companion Club offers third-party public liability insurance cover, which includes banned breeds registered on the Index of Exempted dogs. To become a member, you'll need to pay a £25 annual fee.

This insurance cover offers up to £1million per claim, subject to legal liability being established against you if your dog causes damage or injury to another person, their property, or person. An excess of £200 applies in the UK and £500 in the Republic of Ireland.

To make a claim valid, you'll need to prove you were complying with the law at the time of the incident. This means your dog must have a Certificate of Exemption covering them when the incident occurred.

The Companion Club's third-party public liability insurance does not cover businesses, breeders, or anyone caring for dogs that are not their own pets. If you're a breeder or business owner, your claim would be null and void.

Your insurance start date is the date your payment cleared to join the Companion Club, and you can find your start date and policy number in your welcome email from the Companion Club.

BSL, or breed-specific legislation, varies greatly from state to state in the US. Changes in BSL happen often, but not uniformly throughout the country.

Some states, like Massachusetts, Utah, and Rhode Island, have anti-BSL laws that prohibit the ban on breeds. Others maintain their breed-specific bans, reflecting the ongoing debate on the issue.

If you're unsure of legislation in your area, checking with your local veterinary associations or government websites is a great way to stay up to date on recent changes or proposed legislation.

You might enjoy: How to Breed an American Bully

Research has shown that breed is not a reliable indicator of a dog's behavior. Scientists compared the behavior of banned dogs and permitted dogs, and found no significant difference in aggression between the two groups.

In fact, one study found that "bully-type" dogs were more easily aroused, but not more aggressive overall. This suggests that other factors, like environment and upbringing, play a larger role in shaping a dog's behavior.

A team of scientists examined a large database of dog genetics and found only a weak association between breed and behavior. This implies that individual dogs, regardless of breed, should be evaluated on their own merits.

It's worth noting that even breeds like Golden Retrievers, often considered family-friendly, can exhibit aggressive behavior. This highlights the importance of considering each dog as an individual, rather than making assumptions based on breed.

According to Richard Baker, an NHS consultant surgeon, powerful breeds like American Bully XLs can inflict more severe injuries due to their size and jaw strength. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that breed-specific legislation is the most effective way to address dog bites.

Worth a look: Types of Bully Breeds

In Northern Ireland, a significant change is coming for American Bully XL dog owners. On 5 July 2024, it became illegal to breed, sell, exchange, gift, or abandon an XL Bully type dog.

You'll need to ensure your dog is muzzled and on a lead when in public places. This new law aims to protect the public and the dogs themselves.

By 31 December 2024, it will be illegal to own an American Bully XL dog without an exemption. This means that if you currently own one of these dogs, you'll need to apply for an exemption before the deadline.

Here's a quick summary of the key dates to keep in mind:

Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is a hot topic in the US, with some states allowing it and others prohibiting it. Massachusetts, Utah, and Rhode Island have anti-BSL laws.

BSL can vary from state to state, and even from city to city. This means that if you live in a state or city with BSL, you may need to check with your local authorities to see how it affects you.

Some cities and states have banned bully breeds, which include Pit Bulls, Bull Terriers, and Bulldogs. The American XL Bully may soon be banned in the UK, and the US could follow suit.

If you're unsure about the legislation in your area, you can check with your local veterinary associations or government websites for the latest information.

Here's a list of some states with anti-BSL laws:

It's worth noting that even if a state or city doesn't have BSL, you may still need to check with your local authorities to see if there are any specific laws or regulations that apply to you.

In the UK, the American XL Bully is set to be banned by the end of 2023. The ban will be implemented under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which already includes four other breeds that are currently illegal.

The UK government has stated that the American XL Bully is a "danger to our communities, particularly our children." This decision was made by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who announced the plan to ban the breed on September 15.

You might enjoy: Why Is the Uk Banning Xl Bully

From February 1st, 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL bully type dog without a certificate of exemption. Owners must also ensure their dog is muzzled and on a lead when in public places.

Here is a list of the current and upcoming UK legislation and bans:

Owning certain breeds of dogs in England and Wales can be quite complex. On 1 February 2024, it became illegal to own an American Bully XL dog without a certificate of exemption.

If you're thinking of getting an American Bully XL, you should know that a deadline to apply for an exemption has now passed. You'll need to contact your local police force for advice on how to exempt your dog.

The rules around American Bully XL ownership are strict, and it's essential to be aware of them before getting a dog.

The American XL Bully is banned in the UK, with the ban taking effect on February 1st, 2024. This means that owning an American Bully XL dog in England and Wales will require a certificate of exemption.

In Northern Ireland, it's already illegal to breed, sell, exchange, gift, or abandon an XL Bully type dog, and owners must ensure their dog is muzzled and on a lead when in public places. The deadline to own an American Bully XL without an exemption is December 31st, 2024.

The Republic of Ireland has also announced plans to ban American Bully XL dogs, with new regulations prohibiting the importing, breeding, selling, and rehoming of the breed starting on October 1st, 2024.

Some cities and states in the U.S. have their own breed-specific legislation (BSL) laws, which can vary greatly. For example, some states like Massachusetts, Utah, and Rhode Island have anti-BSL laws that prohibit the ban on breeds.

If you're unsure about the laws in your area, it's a good idea to check with your local veterinary associations or government websites for the most up-to-date information.

Here's a quick rundown of the American Bully XL ban in the UK and Ireland: