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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Really concerned about XL bully.

34 replies

newusernamex1000 · 13/10/2025 19:58

My daughter lives in a block of 6 council flats with my grandson (3). The residents are made up of families and the odd pensioner, but recently a couple have moved into one of the bottom flats which have a back door leading to the large but fenced in communal garden.

They have brought with them a very boisterous XL bully bully who is clearly intact. I’m not saying that the dog will do anything but I’m very worried, especially as they keep the back door open for the dog.

Does it still have to wear a muzzle if it’s in a communal garden? I’m just so worried.

Aibu if I contact the council?

OP posts:
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Doggielovecharlotte · 14/10/2025 17:55

You could speak to dog warden too.

at the very least it would need to be on a lead in a communal area

pit bulls are a banned bread aren’t they

well done you! They won’t have an idea about who complained as everyone will be up in arms about that

Original poster
newusernamex1000 · 14/10/2025 17:49

I reported it late last night to the police, I have spoken to the housing yet as I have been in work today but I will tomorrow.

It’s apparently an XL crossed with a Pit Bull, that’s what one of the neighbours have said. Same neighbour has already had words with the new neighbour about the dog

OP posts:
JohnofWessex · 14/10/2025 10:03

newusernamex1000 · 13/10/2025 20:49

@tsmainsqueezeEven if it is exempt, surely the council wouldn’t allow one to be in a block of flats with families and a shared garden?

It might not be allowed but until its drawn to their attention they cant do anything about it

Flamingoed · 14/10/2025 09:47

It’s just taken the police 15 months to determine whether a dog they’d seized was an XL or not. The court threw the case out when they learned the dog hadn’t done anything wrong and wasn’t a banned breed at all. Should have just asked mumsnetters.

chunkybear · 14/10/2025 01:25

Definitely report, and take pics if you can of it unleashed or unmuzzled - totally a disaster waiting to happen

Catssuddenlyappear · 14/10/2025 00:05

Definitely report it, and keep complaining if nothing happens.

Sosbanfachtheresatellyinmybath · 14/10/2025 00:03

Please report it! I got bitten on the arm last week, by an unmuzzled xl bully. Between me and a few locals, we're trying to locate the owner. I'm very lucky I pulled away or it would have been a lot worse. I had to have a tetanus and antibiotics. I dread to think what it could do to a child

tsmainsqueeze · 13/10/2025 21:17

newusernamex1000 · 13/10/2025 20:49

@tsmainsqueezeEven if it is exempt, surely the council wouldn’t allow one to be in a block of flats with families and a shared garden?

Unlikely i imagine but i think there will be variations in council rules as to what they will allow .
But there is no deviation to the rules set by the government , i work in a vets and we had to follow strict protocol when the law was put in place .
I have no doubt that there are numerous morons out there breaking the law though.
My suggestion is that you contact the housing officer connected to the property 1st , they have a duty to all the tenants so i think they will act quickly and involve the police.

YumYa · 13/10/2025 21:12

I'd definitely report. Good luck.

Rshard · 13/10/2025 21:00

I work for a social housing provider and all dogs deemed dangerous by UK laws are not allowed in our properties. So this could be a tenancy breach also, report to the council housing department.

PeonyPatch · 13/10/2025 20:50

Accident waiting to happen

Original poster
newusernamex1000 · 13/10/2025 20:49

@tsmainsqueezeEven if it is exempt, surely the council wouldn’t allow one to be in a block of flats with families and a shared garden?

OP posts:
Original poster
newusernamex1000 · 13/10/2025 20:46

@hoarahloux I didn’t know that, thank you for the information. The dog looks young to me

OP posts:
hoarahloux · 13/10/2025 20:43

Report it of course, but neutered dogs scrotums can look quite a lot like intact dogs, especially if the neutering was recent or if the dog was older when it was neutered. But it should be muzzled.

tsmainsqueeze · 13/10/2025 20:32

If they do not have a certificate of exemption they are breaking the law.
The cut off date for having them neutered depending on their age was at the very latest June 2025 ,if still entire then illegal.
They must be muzzled and on a lead at all times in a public place.
Owners must have 3rd party liability insurance by law.
Xl bullies cannot be re homed, abandoned ,advertised or be allowed to stray.
Any of the above and the dog will be seized and destroyed and owner prosecuted as it is a criminal offence.

Zanatdy · 13/10/2025 20:30

There’s one that lives opposite me in a block of flats, but it always wears a muzzle. It’s actually much better behaved than my cockapoo to be honest who has a hissy fit when he see’s him. He even reacts when he sees the owner on his own, he must be able to smell the testosterone!

He really does need to muzzle the dog in all communal areas, only a totally private garden would be exempt.

Loloj · 13/10/2025 20:29

newusernamex1000 · 13/10/2025 20:07

I told my daughter to report it, but she is scared as they don’t seem particularly friendly.

I will do it on the quiet so she has no idea. I didn’t think they would be allowed in blocks of flats, so when I seen it I was pretty shocked. I’m not saying it’s dangerous and it could be a big softy but I’m not taking any chances. It looks pretty young too

If it is an XL Bully then it is dangerous and is an accident waiting to happen. Even more likely with irresponsible owners who clearly don’t care about the law.

100% report to the police.

ChloeCannotCanCan · 13/10/2025 20:29

Report it straight away - and don’t feel bad in the slightest. At the very least it should be neutered, muzzled and kept well away from any other humans or animals…

FuzzyWolf · 13/10/2025 20:28

Glad you’ve said you will report.

Notaflippinclue · 13/10/2025 20:28

Completely illegal please report and keep your child safe

PoppySaidYesIKnow · 13/10/2025 20:26

Report it to the police. As soon as possible.

EasternStandard · 13/10/2025 20:18

Yanbu you can report it

EverybodyLTB · 13/10/2025 20:17

Report it and don’t tell anyone you’ve done so, any kind of retaliation will be awful for your daughter to have to live with, what with them being so close by. There’s loads of them intact and the ban hasn’t achieved much. I see them with their balls, and many puppies, where I live but no idea where they live or who the owners are so no idea who to report to but I would straight away if I knew.

TheatricalLife · 13/10/2025 20:13

Definitely report it yourself. Your DD doesn't need to be involved.

RunningJo · 13/10/2025 20:13

I’d report it, the police can then do a check on him. Currently, I think they’re breaking the law (if he is an XL bully) due to the fact he isn’t neutered and isn’t wearing a muzzle in an open, public space (assuming the communal garden is classed as public?)
I would also report it to the council, there must be rules when it comes down to having a pet in a communal garden regardless of the breed

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