The government ban on American Bully XL dogs could lead to increased abandonment rates, leading Sheffield animal shelters and charities have warned.
Following the recent rise in attacks and fatalities, the American Bully XL has been added to the list of banned dog breeds in England and Wales under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Following the announcement animal shelters and kennels across Sheffield have seen a rise in the abandonment of American XL Bullies, as well as dogs similar in appearance to the Bully, but don’t fall under the government’s definition of them.
A representative of the Mill House Animal Sanctuary (MHAS) said they have been inundated by owners trying to give up their dogs.
She said: “We’ve definitely had more abandoned Bullies. We had two this morning that they were trying to get rid of, but we had to refuse.”
The ban will make it illegal for animal shelters to rehome the breed, forcing shelters to refuse accepting them.
The rising abandonment rates have overstretched charities, who are unable to bear veterinary expenses to neuter them.
MHAS said: “We don’t just take dogs. We have cats, horses, birds and we’re underequipped to take large dogs. It’s not the dogs’ fault but the irresponsible owners, but we’re simply unequipped to take large dogs.
“We just don’t know what to do with them.”
Cass Bailey of Barnsley Animal Rescue said they have stopped accepting American XL Bullies.
She said: “We don’t have any bullies in our care at the moment and we’ve stopped taking them because we know we won’t be able to rehome them past January.”
The government announced that starting 1 February, it will be illegal to own, breed, rehome, abandon or sell XL bully dogs. However, owners can apply for a Certificate of Exemption for their dogs but will have to leash and muzzle their dogs in public.
The announcement has sent owners scrambling to procure exemptions for their dogs and adhere to the new stipulations for owning the breed.
Earlier this month, two dogs, believed to be XL bullies were seized following an attack on a dog and its owner in Firth Park.
South Yorkshire Police said that XL Bully dogs account for 25 per cent of seizures.
Miss Bailey said: “I think any dog can be nasty. Puppies aren’t born nasty. It’s what people do to them that makes them nasty.”
