‘Illegal XL bully puppy farm’ with 13 dogs in home with children raided

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: An XL Bully named Pippa enjoys a run and a walk on a private and secure dog walking field on February 15, 2024 in Birmingham, England. XL bully owners have been walking their dogs in private fields since a ban came into force on February 1, 2024. It is now illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate and they are required to be kept on a lead and muzzled in public places. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
XL bullies have been banned in England and Wales since February (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

Thirteen suspected XL bullies have been seized from a puppy farm in a suburban home in Essex.

The dogs, including eight puppies, were found at a home with children in Mile End, Colchester.

Since February, it has been illegal to sell, give away, abandon or breed an XL bully. Owners must neuter their XL bullies if they’ve been granted exemptions.

Police raided the property on Friday morning, having received a tip-off from the RSCPA over ‘concerns for the welfare’ of the dogs.

Obtaining a warrant under the Dangerous Dogs Act, police seized the dogs to send them to specialist kennels to determine their breed.

A man, 35, has been arrested on suspicion of possession and breeding of a banned breed an animal cruelty offence.

A street with several police vehicles parked along it.
A man, 35, was arrested (Picture: Essex Police)

He has since been released under investigation.

Sergeant Rob Temme said the dogs were ‘unregistered’. At least 50,000 XL bullies are thought to be in the UK, with up to 15,000 not registered on the Index of Exempted dogs.

‘We have worked closely with the RSPCA to ensure the welfare of these animals but also protect those living at the address, including children,’ Temme added.

‘This warrant was a last resort following attempts from Essex Police and the RSPCA to engage with the owner and ensure their safety.

‘The dogs have now been safely removed from the property and put into kennels until their breed can be determined.’

An XL bully, the largest kind of American bully dog that can weigh up to 60kg, has been behind a recent spate of attacks against humans.

File photo dated 30/09/23 of an XL bully dog called Riz, during a protest against the Government's decision to add XL bully dogs to the list of prohibited breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act following a spate of attacks. The deadline has passed for owners of XL bully dogs to apply for certificates of exemption to keep their pets before a ban on the breed comes into force. Issue date: Wednesday January 31, 2024. PA Photo. From Thursday, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL bully in England and Wales without a certificate. Applications had to be submitted by midday on Wednesday. According to the RSPCA, the Government last week said 30,000 dogs had been registered, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been contacted for an updated figure. The total number of XL bullies, estimated by animal groups, has ranged between 50,000 and 100,000, the RSPCA added. See PA story POLITICS XLBully . Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire
Some experts aren’t entirely convinced a ban is the best way to go (Picture: PA)

Bully Watch, which advocates tough regulation around the breed, says XL bullies killed 15 people in the UK between November 2021 and February.

England, Wales and Scotland have all imposed bans on XL bullies, while Northern Ireland has introduced tougher restrictions. Ireland also intends to ban the dogs by next year.

Experts are undecided whether bans on these big-headed muscular dogs are effective.

The British Veterinary Association says singling out XL bullies won’t stop dog bites from happening – ‘unscrupulous breeders who are putting profit before welfare’ should instead be the focus.

Researchers say that particular breeds of dogs aren’t inherently more aggressive or violent. Environment and upbringing tend to play larger roles.

.

Related Posts


This will close in 0 seconds