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Original poster

XL Bully - report or not...?

35 replies

OSAP · 23/06/2024 12:19

In a pub local to me, a man came in with an XL bully. He said she as an XL bully, and made a comment about how she was 'supposedly dangerous and meant to be muzzled.'

The dog was fine - a terrier in the pub was yapping at her and she didn't do anything other than sniff (this is what prompted the subsequent comment about muzzling), but I could also see she was solid muscle, and know these dogs can turn easily. She also appeared to have an area on the back of her neck that may, or may not, have been a chip removal but other than that, appeared no different to any other dog (no spiky collars or chain leads - that you'd associate with status symbol type dogs.)

All I have is a name (of the dog, not the human!) and a description and also the name of the pub.

The attitude of the owner and also the potential chip removal (I might be wrong on this) were red flags, but it doesn't seem enough info to report - or does it? I don't know!

AIBU - not to report

IANBU - to call 101 (?) regardless of the limited info

OP posts:
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T1Dmama · 23/06/2024 21:36

OSAP · 23/06/2024 14:09

Police response below:

Thank you for your message. As this incident happened yesterday and is not ongoing, unfortunately it would be difficult for us to locate the dog and the owners based on the information provided currently.

Police probably won’t concern themselves with it, type in your local authority plus dog warden and give them a call

x2boys · 23/06/2024 19:54

You can report but I'm not sure the police can do anything
A few years ago a bully type dog came running round the corner
r where i was waiting with my son for a taxi and bit him on the hand ,thankfully although it was an upsetting incident it was just a bite
I did report to the police, but they said unless I knew the name of the owner and where they lived they were powerless to do anything.

fieldsofbutterflies · 23/06/2024 19:44

Wills890 · 23/06/2024 18:15

🙄 typical. They don't give a toss until someone is killed!

Show quote history

They can't just act on hearsay though, they need evidence.

Original poster
OSAP · 23/06/2024 19:35

I don’t have much info to give, and I suppose it wasn’t ‘urgent’ but, yes, it’s frustrating

OP posts:
BabyBobs · 23/06/2024 19:35

I bet it's not an XL Bully and the chap was being an idiot.

Why would he risk someone calling the police then and there or later and having his dog taken away and possibly killed? Not to mention he may have paid a lot of money for the dog.

Wills890 · 23/06/2024 18:15

OSAP · 23/06/2024 14:09

Police response below:

Thank you for your message. As this incident happened yesterday and is not ongoing, unfortunately it would be difficult for us to locate the dog and the owners based on the information provided currently.

🙄 typical. They don't give a toss until someone is killed!

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 23/06/2024 18:10

Gosh it’s so strange - any other scenario is met with wind your neck in, keep your snout out. From child abused to animal cruelty, you couldn’t make it up.

But this- dog minding its own business, “I don’t have much to tell the police”. 😵‍💫 Yes op do make sure you report it- good lord.

downwithmaterialistdogma · 23/06/2024 17:57

Don't pubs have cctv?

Hedgerow2 · 23/06/2024 17:55

You've done your duty op. Not your fault if the police can't be bothered to follow up.

Original poster
OSAP · 23/06/2024 14:57

@Hedgerow2 I told them the name of the pub, the time, the fact that they seemed to know the man behind the bar - as many details as I could cobble together really.

I think the photo thing is a good option in theory but I also think that that is how arguments start and I don't want to get into discussions with the owner. I'd rather just look as if I am smiling and nodding as it's not worth it (more due to the owner - I think him pointing out the dog was an XL was asking / hoping for opinions.)

OP posts:
Longdarkcloud · 23/06/2024 14:44

If you feel brave enough perhaps return to the pub on the same day at the same time and hope he turns up again so you can get a snap whilst supposedly using your phone or taking a pic of your friend.

piningforautumn · 23/06/2024 14:37

Now you know that you need to report immediately to have any hope they'll take action (and perhaps, if it's possible to do safely, take a surreptitious photo to prove that the owner wasn't following the law).

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 23/06/2024 14:30

I say this as a dog owner and lover, having had rescue bull breeds in the past. Report. Anyone responsible would be taking ALL necessary steps to reassure general public their dog was safe and adhering to rules.
Like pp have said you wouldn't forgive yourself if it went for a child cause the dickhead owner wasn't responsible with it.

Hoppinggreen · 23/06/2024 14:26

I think you should report.
The owner sounds like an arrogant idiot and its that attitude rather than the dogs themselves that causes problems

fieldsofbutterflies · 23/06/2024 14:25

Hedgerow2 · 23/06/2024 14:20

Well they could start by going to the pub (assume you told them which one) and asking the landlord if he knows who the owner is!

Show quote history

I mean, they can, but it would just be hearsay. Unless there's photographic/video evidence of this dog being off the lead and un-muzzled, there's not much they can do really.

Hedgerow2 · 23/06/2024 14:20

OSAP · 23/06/2024 14:09

Police response below:

Thank you for your message. As this incident happened yesterday and is not ongoing, unfortunately it would be difficult for us to locate the dog and the owners based on the information provided currently.

Well they could start by going to the pub (assume you told them which one) and asking the landlord if he knows who the owner is!

Original poster
OSAP · 23/06/2024 14:09

Police response below:

Thank you for your message. As this incident happened yesterday and is not ongoing, unfortunately it would be difficult for us to locate the dog and the owners based on the information provided currently.

OP posts:
Original poster
OSAP · 23/06/2024 13:29

@spirit20 I agree, and I am a huge dog lover.
I think the point was more the lack of info and, possibly along with that, the dog wasn’t being threatening. I know that can change, and said in my OP, but I don’t know how urgently or seriously it would be taken.

I’ve reported on the police chat box thingy. No response although they now have my info, as well as all the info I did have along with my suspicions about potential chip removal (emphasising that this was only a suspicion.)

Wish I’d taken more notice of the owner now, but I was too busy being wary of the dog!

OP posts:
spirit20 · 23/06/2024 13:13

OP, look at a recent case in Ireland where a 23 year old woman was mauled to death by an XL bully who she had raised herself and who she had posted social media clips of them dancing together and saying how gentle it was etc. They're really dangerous and can turn instantly, regardless of how docile they look. I would definitely report it, you don't know who might be its victim if you don't.

T1Dmama · 23/06/2024 13:10

The fact he’s in a pub ‘bragging’ that he has an unmuzzled dangerous breed makes him ‘that kind of owner’ in my eyes!
I would call the local dog warden and tell them what you know

BlondeFool · 23/06/2024 12:49

I don't drink in my local pub anymore as there's an unmuzzled xl bully who is allowed to roam free not on a lead! I don't even let my Pomeranian be off lead in the pub and she's tiny.

I'd report, I tried to but they weren't interested.

Clearinguptheclutter · 23/06/2024 12:48

Report BUT I’m not sure what the police can realise do with such limited info

if you know the dogs name and you think it did have a chip I suppose it’s possible they can track it down but the idiot might well have changed the dog’s name

fieldsofbutterflies · 23/06/2024 12:47

Definitely report.

Only irresponsible idiots refuse to muzzle.

Sladuf · 23/06/2024 12:45

You’re doing the right thing OSAP. Better safe than sorry!

Zinzinner · 23/06/2024 12:43

Report.

they are taking it really seriously where I live as there’s been a few attacks - I saw one off lead without a muzzle going bananas at another dog and ignoring the owner. I called the police and they were there within a few minutes.