Bully Breed Ban Us: Separating Fact from Fiction and Understanding the Law

In some cities, owning a Pit Bull or other "bully breed" is banned, but the reasons behind these laws are often misunderstood. The law in Toronto, for example, prohibits Pit Bulls due to concerns about public safety.

In Ontario, the Pit Bull ban was enacted in 2005 after a fatal dog attack. The law prohibits the ownership of Pit Bulls, but it's worth noting that this ban doesn't apply to other breeds that may be just as aggressive.

The Ontario law defines a Pit Bull as a dog that is a Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier. However, the law also allows for certain exceptions, such as dogs that are already registered with the Ontario government before the ban takes effect.

The key takeaway is that owning a Pit Bull or other "bully breed" can be restricted in some areas, but the laws and regulations surrounding these breeds vary widely.

A different take: Bull Terrier Dog Breeds

In Miami-Dade County, Florida, owning a pit bull was made illegal after 1990, and the county could even euthanize pit bulls based on breed alone.

The city of Sunrise in Florida had restrictions on pit bulls, requiring them to be confined indoors or in a locked pen with six-foot high sides.

Most public housing authorities in Florida impose weight and breed restrictions that can lead to families losing their homes and their dogs being sent to shelters.

A study in Science Magazine found that traits like hostility and violence are found in all breeds to varying degrees, and can't be predicted by breed alone.

In the UK, XL Bully dogs are now banned in England and Wales under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and owners must comply with the law by microchipping and muzzling their dogs in public.

The PDSA organization believes that breed-specific legislation is ineffective and has not resulted in a reduction of dog bites or human deaths.

From December 31, 2023, XL Bully dogs in the UK must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public, and owners must apply for a Certificate of Exemption by January 31, 2024.

For your interest: Xl Bully Breeders Uk

The XL Bully breed has been linked to 316 dog attacks in the UK so far this year, making up 38% of all dog attacks.

The XL Bully is a relatively new breed that originated in the US in the 1980s as a mix between the American pit bull terrier and American Staffordshire terrier.

In the UK, the XL Bully would be the fifth breed to be banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which also prohibits any dog that is "dangerously out of control".

The American Bully is already banned in several countries, including the UAE, France, and Turkey, and is restricted in Ireland, where owners must muzzle and leash their American Bullies when in public.

The UK Government has taken the issue of XL Bully attacks "extremely seriously", but advocates warn that breed-specific bans are ineffective and could lead to the deaths of thousands of innocent dogs.

If this caught your attention, see: Bull Terrier before Breeding

In the UK, a recent dog attack has led to a call for banning the XL Bully breed.

The XL Bully is a relatively new breed that originated in the US in the 1980s, as a mix between the American pit bull terrier and American Staffordshire terrier.

The breed has since been crossed with other breeds to create an ultra-muscular dog with a powerful appearance, according to the United Kennel Club.

There have been 316 dog attacks in the UK this year, with American Bully XLs or American Bully Mixes responsible for 38% of them, according to Bully Watch.

The XL Bully would be the fifth dog breed to be banned in the UK, following the pitbull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino, and fila Brasileiro.

Banning specific breeds has been shown to be ineffective in preventing dog attacks, and could lead to the deaths of thousands of innocent dogs, according to breed advocates.

The XL Bully is already banned in some countries, including the United Arab Emirates, France, and Turkey, and restricted in others, such as Ireland.

In Ireland, American Bullies must be muzzled and on a leash shorter than 2 meters when out in public.

The PDSA, a well-established animal welfare organization, has a clear stance on the XL Bully ban. They believe that breed-specific legislation is ineffective in reducing dog bites or human deaths.

According to the PDSA, the Dangerous Dogs Act has not resulted in a reduction of dog bites or human deaths, which is why they are disappointed in the government's decision to push ahead with further breed-specific legislation.

The PDSA would like to see the government focus on reforming the Dangerous Dogs Act, rather than adding XL Bully dogs to the list of banned breeds. This is because they do not believe that banning a specific breed is an effective way to protect the public.

You can find out more about the PDSA's stance on the Dangerous Dogs Act by reading their official statement on the 1991 act.

Here's an interesting read: Breed-specific Legislation

The bully breed ban has had far-reaching consequences for dog owners and their pets. Many people have been forced to give up their beloved pets due to the ban.

For more insights, see: E Collar Ban

In some cities, the ban has led to a significant increase in the number of dogs being surrendered to shelters. For example, in Toronto, the number of pit bulls surrendered to the Toronto Humane Society increased by 50% after the ban was implemented.

The ban has also had a devastating impact on responsible dog owners who have been unfairly targeted by the legislation. Many have been forced to rehome their dogs or face steep fines.

The ban has failed to reduce dog bites and attacks, as some proponents had claimed. In fact, dog bites and attacks have continued to occur despite the ban, highlighting the need for more effective solutions to address the issue.

The ban on American Bully XLs in the UK is facing significant logistical challenges. The new law has sparked an increased demand for kennel space ahead of court rulings on whether dogs should be euthanized.

Over 35,000 dogs in the UK are already registered for American XL bully exemptions, making it a complex task for authorities to enforce the ban.

The XL Bully ban in England and Wales means significant changes for owners. On 31 October 2023, the UK Government announced that XL Bully dogs are now banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

The law has been broken up into different stages to help owners comply, with the first stage requiring XL Bully dogs to be microchipped. This is a crucial step, as it ensures your dog can be identified and returned to you if it escapes.

From 31 December 2023, XL Bully dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. This is a temporary measure until further notice.

You'll also need to apply for a Certificate of Exemption for your dog by 31 January 2024, if you want to continue owning an XL Bully. This certificate will exempt your dog from the ban, but it's essential to apply on time to avoid any issues.

Research has shown that pit bull types, including bully-type dogs, show no more aggression over food or handling than non-pit dogs.

If this caught your attention, see: Pitbull Dog Breed Characteristics

A study compared the behavior of banned dogs with that of Golden Retrievers, finding no statistically significant difference in aggressive behavior.

Environment and upbringing seem to play larger roles than breed in determining a dog's behavior.

A team of scientists found only a paltry association between breed and behavior when examining a large database of dog genetics.

It's essential to evaluate every dog as an individual, rather than making assumptions based on breed.

In Florida, private landlords can still ban pit bulls and German shepherds because the statute only applies to local governments and public housing.

Miami-Dade County was the only county in Florida that made it illegal to own any dog that substantially conformed to a pit bull breed after 1990.

The city of Sunrise had restrictions on pit bulls, but these are now null and void.

Most public housing authorities in Florida impose arbitrary breed and weight restrictions that can lead to dogs being sent to taxpayer-funded shelters.

Studies have shown that traits traditionally ascribed to dog breeds, such as hostility and violence, are found in all breeds to varying degrees.

Behavioral factors show high variability within breeds, suggesting that breed alone is not a reliable predictor of an individual's disposition.

Reporting XL dogs is crucial for public safety and animal welfare. You can report an XL Bully to the police if you see the dog without a muzzle or lead in public after 31 December 2023.

If you're concerned that a dog is dangerous or has aggressive behaviour, regardless of the breed, reporting it to the police or local authority is the way to go.

You can also report cruelty or neglect of any pet to the RSPCA in England and Wales, SSPCA in Scotland, and USPCA in Northern Ireland.

Broaden your view: Popular Police Dogs

Pit Bulls are a broad description of several dog breeds with characteristics like almond-shaped eyes and broad chests.

The term "Pit Bull" is often misused, as many dogs labeled as such may not actually be Pit Bulls due to vague definitions.

Pit Bulls descended from a dog-fighting breed, often trained for use in dog-fighting and bear-baiting.

They developed a reputation for dangerous behavior due to their strength and tendency to latch on while biting.

Pit Bulls made up only 6% of the dog population between 1982 and 2009, but were responsible for 68% of dog attacks and 52% of dog-related deaths.

However, some experts argue that these numbers may include dogs that shouldn't be considered Pit Bulls.

DNA analysis often can't find genetic links to Pit Bull classifications, leading to shelter workers mislabeling dogs as Pit Bulls.

The American Kennel Club doesn't recognize "Pit Bull" as a specific breed and has publicly spoken out against breed-specific legislation.

Public perceptions of which breeds are most dangerous have changed throughout the decades, with breeds like Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers being targeted in the past.

Pit Bulls are often unfairly blamed for their reputation, when in reality, irresponsible owners are the true cause of most problems.