I think my neighbours have an xl bully

My NDN have a Cane Corso.
They walk him in the dark, when the streets are quiet, to avoid the judgement of everyone who assumes that he's an XL Bully.

Report it. If it’s legal and exempted then no harm done. If it’s not, then they aren’t responsible owners and you’ve done the right thing.

It didn't til a week.ago.

If the dog is safe, the owner would be going out of his way to make it clear to anyone around.

He isn't. If my kids lived next door to a dog that looked like a bully, I would report it. Let the experts decide rather than play a pointless guessing game on mumsnet.

All fine but surely an expert should check the dog in daylight rather than op playing a guessing game.

No I can't afford to unfortunately.

Lots of people will walk dogs in the dark , possibly because it's antisocial or maybe the owners the anti social one.

You need to be keeping an eye on whether its muzzled or not, the government rules say words to the effect of - if it resembles an xl bully then it will be presumed to be one so must be registered muzzled and neutered ,the last cut off date for neutering is June 2025 (details are easy to find on government website) it may be difficult to see if its a neutered male and you can't tell if its a spayed female.
So focus on the muzzle and report to local police every time you see it without.
I work in a vets ,since these laws have come into action we have had interaction with the police regarding some of the dogs in our locality so especially after the latest tragedy they may be efficient in checking things out ,our practices experience is that this law is being taken seriously by the police - not so much the owners !
If the owner complies with the law and the dog is secured ,muzzled ,registered and neutered there is nothing you can do.
I can't stand this breed and its unpredictability but the likelihood is that even if it is one it won't cause you any problems.

We walk our large breed dogs any time between 5 and 6 am. Because they're both rescues and highly reactive. Walking them with loads of other dogs is stressful for them and for me. They're both as gentle as anything.

Can see why you might think this but honestly it's not. Dog walker here, I have lots of clients who only walk dogs in the dark because of their work patterns, the dog is frightened of people or other dogs, or just because it's their routine and they like the quiet.

If the fence is secure and the neighbours always have the dog on a lead and under control then I really wouldn't worry, OP. I know it's hard with all the news reports circulating, but you are much more likely to be bitten by a dog in the home (aka your own dog).

That’s really sad that you have to put up with such an awful situation. Is there anyway you can move to a better location?

I know my neighbours have an XL Bully, he told me so and that he doesn't put a muzzle on when he walks it. I aren't report them though, as I'm worried they would know it was me and make trouble. I see them drug dealing on our street and the sort of people around, so it's safer to keep my mouth shut.

Meh, if I had young kids I'd report it. If your neighbours are innocent it will hardly inconvenience them at all. But if they're out in public with one of those monsters unmuzzled, they deserve everything they get.

I'd say mind your own business. There are many big heavy breeds if dog, what makes you think this is an xl bully? (Which is a type not a breed, so hard to prove either way but very distressing for owners of perfectly legitimate bull type dogs)

Even if it was one of that type breed, he could have papers like a license stating he can keep the dog. But would have to be muzzled outside too though. But either way, it may not even be that type breed. Maybe it's best not to poke your nose in as it may cause conflict if the dog isn't causing any harm to anyone. All dogs do bark when people are outside too, and maybe his walking his dog in the dark because he works. Who knows.

Report what exactly?

He walks the dog at that time in the morning because he probably has to go to work after. His wife may be working from home and walks the dog during the day so they split the walks equally. Not sure how the dog is any danger to your children, presumably it doesn't visit your house and your kids are not out at 6.30 am

It’s dark now from 5pm and doesn’t get light in the morning until 7am, maybe he walks it outside of work hours and that’s why it’s being walked in the dark…

There are quite a lot of muscular dog breeds outside of an XL Bully, you don’t say it’s displayed any dangerous behaviour, perhaps your experiences are making you hyper vigilant.

I walk my dog early in the morning. Around 6 - 6:30 as I leave for work at 7:30 and need to get my children sorted for school etc and drop one at breakfast club. I then walk her again around 8pm. She a cocker though so maybe its acceptable?

It could be an xl bully or it could be another large breed. My neighbour has a bull mastiff that is huge! Lots of people walk their dogs early morning though for all kinds of reasons so I wouldn't even think twice about that

Well it's worrying isn't it. Do you have a high garden fence/walls so that it can't jump over or get through any gaps? I'd also be worried about it running into the street at anytime. You just can't trust these dogs.

I wouldn't speak to them about it personally.

If you or someone else later reports it they'll assume it was you as the neighbour who asked questions.

Speak to the council dog warden and see what they advise.

Is your garden secure so the dog can't get into your garden/property

Report it to the dog warden (usually via council) and local community police team.

Also I'm not sure walking in the dark is suspicious- it gets dark very early! I walk mine in the dark too, because it's dark after work.

There could be legitimate reasons for walking it at night/early morning when not many people are around. My parents dog is not friendly toward other dogs so it it easier to walk it early morning and later at night.

Also if you leave at 6.30 how do you no it's not walked during the day? Could you chat to the neighbours? Just make small talk and ask what type of dog it is?