I think my neighbours have an xl bully

[70sShmeventies]

I’m afraid of most dogs, have been forever, so I’m not sure if I’m overreacting given the recent news report of that poor girls death, so please set me straight mumsnet!

I think my newish neighbours have an xl bully. I knew they had a dog, as it has barked when me and my kids have been in the garden before. I’ve recently started a job where I leave around 6.30 and I’ve noticed the husband taking a very beefy dog out at that time and again when it’s dark. It’s massive, really muscly etc.

They aren’t very sociable, generally avoid saying hello etc so I keep myself to
myself with them so so can casually start up conversation with them to ask.

Since I’ve seen the dog i have started to question, why don’t the other (female) house members take the dog out and why does he only walk it in the dark? Is it a dangerous dog? I have 2 small children so it’s a concern.

But maybe I should mind my own business as it hasn’t actually done anything?!

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.

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?

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).

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.

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.

No I can't afford to unfortunately.

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

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.

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.

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.