Number of dog attacks in UK goes UP after XL Bully ban

A number of police forces across the UK have reported an increase in attacks by dogs since the XL Bully ban came into force. Police have spent more than £11 millionkennelling banned dog breeds since the ban came into force inFebruary as it can cost around £1,000 a month to keep an XL bully in kennels.

Since February last year, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate, meaning unregistered pets will be taken and owners possibly fined and prosecuted. As well as the XL bully, other banned types of dog under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 include the pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Brasileiro.

Police forces seized 4,586 suspected Section 1 banned dogs throughout England and Wales between February and September 2024. Forces in England and Wales seized and euthanised 848 dogs between February and September 2024 at an estimated cost of £340,000.

Following a Freedom Of Information request by the team at www.mypetsvet.co.uk, it has been revealed that dog attacks in the UK have not decreased since the XL Bully ban, which fully came into effect on February 1 2024, as hoped, but they have instead increased, by 6.62% nationwide.

The breed wasn’t just banned because of the number of attacks – but their severity.The American Bully XL was responsible for about half of fatal dog attacks in the UK between 2021 and 2023. The number of fatal attacks involving this breed increased significantly, leading to a ban on the breed in England and Wales.

There were 16 fatal dog attacks in England and Wales in 2023 and six in 2022 – with five in 2021.

More than 1 in 3 UK police forces have so far responded to an FOI request from the online pet pharmacy, requesting the monthly dog attack figures for both 2023 and 2024. The data provided was in relation to “HO Code 8/21 – owner or person in charge allowing dog to be dangerously out of control in any place in England or Wales (whether or not a public place) injuring any person or assistance dog. Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 Sec 3 (1) as amended by Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 Sec 106.”

Just three police forces, so far, have seen a decrease in dog attacks in 2024 compared to 2023:

• Staffordshire Police: -13.29%
• Nottinghamshire Police: -11.90%
• South Wales Police: -1.87%
  

The police forces that responded with evidence of an increase in dog attacks throughout 2024 compared to 2023 are:

Nick Horniman MRCVS, veterinary surgeon and founder of online pet pharmacywww.mypetsvet.co.uk, said:“The data showing a 6.52% nationwide increase in dog attacks following the XL Bully Ban is concerning. It suggests that targeting a specific breed hasn’t addressed the wider issues surrounding dog behaviour and public safety. With attacks increasing in the majority of areas, it’s clear that the focus needs to shift towards more effective solutions for tackling dangerous incidents involving dogs.

“Dog behaviour is not inherently tied to breed – it’s largely shaped by ownership, training and environment. Any dog, even those known to be gentle, can act out of character if they feel threatened or stressed. While the ban has brought attention to the importance of responsible dog ownership, meaningful change will only come through better education for owners and stricter enforcement of care standards, rather than singling out specific breeds.”

May was found to be the most common month for dog attacks within England and Wales, accounting for 1,049 dog attacks, followed by July (1,023) and August (1013). January was the least likely month for these kinds of attacks to occur (654 reported attacks), followed by November (684) and February (698).