Bully XLs - if breed-specific legislation isn't the answer, what is?

[Middlelanehogger]

Upfront - I'm glad bully XLs will be banned. There have been way too many attacks and if we're going to have a banned breeds list then they definitely belong on it!

But I do agree a bit with people who say BSL is a bit pointless because backyard breeders will just create another one and then there will be a few years of muddled statistics before the govt realises this is the new killer breed and then has to take months and months to define it etc

So what should the rule be... ideally one that is predictive in advance and not just waiting for the dogs to kill first... Size/weight? Zero tolerance for "minor" bites? Dog licences for all? Make owners & breeders criminally responsible for murders their dogs commit?

YANBU = yes this is a serious issue
YABU = my velvet hippo would never hurt a fly

Yeah but the shitty criminal owners just won't bother so the cost will hit the responsible owners!

Slightly off tangent here and this won't be a popular opinion, but personally I don't think uk houses are big enough to keep dogs in.

I love dogs, grew up with them and would love a German shepherd or a Dutch shepherd etc but my semi detached house with a small garden is nowhere bear enough space for a medium or large dog despite however many walks I'd take it on.
Dogs need space and when they're cooped up, it doesn't help them.

I think houses should be checked to ensure there's enough space before allowing anyone to have a pet.

I do agree with the ban, although I do also agree that there's ways around it so it needs to be looked at to see what else the government could do.

I also think muzzles and leads should be mandatory.

1. Ban individuals from owning dogs over a certain weight (unless there's some important reason of public good). Say 20kg? 15kg?
2. Make wearing of muzzles compulsory for all dogs in public spaces and homes with children under 16. (With exceptions for feeding in private.)
3. Any dog not complying with (1) and (2) to be summarily (but humanely) destroyed, destruction to be paid for, witnessed and signed-off by owner.

I know that's pie in the sky and won't happen. Too many dangerous dog-lovers. (As well as too many dangerous-dog lovers!) But it'd work. (It's based, obviously, on regulations for dangerous guns, mutatis mutandis.)

Responsible owners already have third party liability insurance.

A 20kg weight limit is all very well, but with many mixes you can't tell how heavy the puppy will be as an adult. And weight is not indication of trainability or temperament.

Enforcement of existing rules.
Automatic destruction of dogs which have caused serious injury.
Leads and potentially muzzles a legal requirement in public outside designated areas.
Education for prospective parents to counter the “nanny breed” type myths which are peddled. I don’t believe these people want their children to die so there must be some ignorance involved in having dangerous breeds and babies at the same time. If people are against targeting specific breeds, tbh people are far too trusting of all dogs around children.

I still have a scar on my arm from being bitten by a JR as a child. I’d love them to be muzzled tbh.

🤣🤣🤣🤣ridiculous!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I agree about ankle snappers being muzzled. Muzzle all dogs I say

When my DD was a baby another baby nearby was killed by a Jack Russell. I’ve always been weary of them sinxe

Why is it ridiculous?

What a horrible attitude.

There's many people out there who only have a dog for company a lot of the time. The lady in the house where I work has a little shaggy crossbreed and he's lovely, is always by her side and makes her feel safer!

Dog ownership IMO is immoral and irresponsible. A dog is essentially held hostage to the person - who may or may not be a nice, responsible owner - who has decided to force themselves on that dog’s life. The ‘fur baby’ attitude of late has made people even worse and I feel something now has to be done about it

Even more reason that most dogs shouldn't be muzzled or on lead all the time.
We control everything dogs do and when they do it, we need to let them have some freedoms.

All bull breeds of this type already in rescues should be euthanised immediately.

Harsh prison sentences (5+ years) for irresponsible owners who allow their dogs to seriously injure or kill a person OR animal. Dog should be immediately euthanised.

Complete ban on breeding this type of dog and any of the breeds that are crossed to make it. Any litters seen advertised anywhere - confiscated, euthanised and a massive fine or jail time for the owner.

It should be mandatory that they can only exercise their dog in a secure field (which they should pay for)

Basically there needs to be an extremely harsh clamp down on this for it to work and to get people to comply. But we won't, because this country is way too soft.

1. Dog license for every dog;
2. Mandatory ‘MOT’ tests every year for certain breeds, to check for aggressive traits & behaviour. Failure results in compulsory muzzling and , in extreme cases, confiscation and euthanasia.

You can see why people breed them though, some of the XL bully pups are on sale for upwards of £1500. One is asking for £2200.

If your dog has 10+ puppies you can make a small fortune. I mean, a sudden windfall of £10k+ would be welcome by most.

Ban charging people to buy puppies, and only for invoiced costs and that might make breeding less attractive.

Quite right. I love dogs but you can love them for what they are without applying human norms/ethics to them.

I also think years cooped up in a shelter cage is really really horrible for dogs - I'm not just coming at this from a POV of "oh ugh I hate dogs just shoot the bastards".

All these things being suggested are pointless in the absence of anyone to enforce them and there is no one to enforce them. Plod has different priorities now and most crimes seem to be off their radar. The country has been left to go feral, along with these monstrous dogs and their owners.

Two collies maimed/killed 6 sheep in a nearby field -the sheep had to be shot - dog rescue took them and would rehome them separately in the town. Ridiculous imv.