XL Bully - report or not...?

[OSAP]

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

I would report

Okay... I feel as if that is my thinking too, but I also don't have much to tell them!

I mean, if it was any other breed I would have probably been stroking her myself!

She's an XL bully and she isn't muzzled in public - that's enough to report.

Report and let the police decide how to deal with it.

I would report all you know and then leave it to the police. That way if anything did happen with this dog turning on a child or another dog, you did all you could.

Report.

I get it but bottom line is these rules have been brought in for very good reason if the dog turned on a human or a child and caused harm you wouldn't sleep at night. The owner is being an idiot not following the rules and being very ignorant to the facts of that breed and the dangers.

One just last week killed its owner.....I totally get the arguments for both sides i really do but they wouldn't have brought in such rules for silly reasons.

Do the right thing and report.

These owners are so reckless. I’d never take the chance of my dog being seized and destroyed. I think you’re right to report, as a dog lover I’d be conflicted especially if dog seems gentle but the owner isn’t taking the ban seriously and anything could happen. There’s one in the flats near me and he’s muzzled and walks past without even looking at my dog (owner and I always exchange pleasantries) whereas my cockapoo is going crazy barking!!

Okay. I will call and report. I don't know if the dog lives locally, but I am guessing she does as they appeared to know the person working behind the bar (it's not a pub I go in much so not sure if they were the landlord / regular staff or not.) Perhaps the police will have other bits of info on the same dog which will make it easier.

I've never done something like this before so don't know how little detail is too little, but I suppose it's better than doing nothing at all.

@Zanatdy Yes, you're right - it IS reckless. While this one seemed very calm etc etc the owner was very quick to almost brag she was an XL. I didn't comment on it, I didn't want to get into an argument about it, but I think he was trying to make a point because she was the placid one whereas, actually, he's putting his dog at risk. I didn't think of it that way round tbh!

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.

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

Definitely report.

Only irresponsible idiots refuse to muzzle.

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

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.

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

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.

@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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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).

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.