Thousands of Bully XL Owners Apply for Breed Ban Exemption

Over 4,000 American Bully XL owners in the United Kingdom have applied for a certificate of exemption ahead of the breed’s ban in 2024, according to BBC News. The U.K.’s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reports that most applications have already been approved.

In September, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that as of February 1, 2024, it would be illegal for anyone in England and Wales to keep an XL Bully. However, an exemption scheme was created for current owners who wish to keep their dogs despite the impending ban.

Current XL Bully owners who no longer want to keep their dogs can opt for euthanasia and apply for government compensation for the incurred costs.

Tougher Restrictions Ahead

Alongside the certificate of exemption, the U.K. government declared that starting December 31, 2023, all XL Bullies must be muzzled and kept on a lead when in public. Owners registering their dogs under the exemption scheme are also required to microchip and neuter their animals.

The decision to ban XL Bullies came in response to a series of reported tragic attacks involving the breed. As a preventive measure, the government prohibits residents in England and Wales from breeding, advertising, selling, abandoning, or re-homing XL Bullies starting December 31.

U.K.’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Christine Middlemiss, acknowledged that some dog owners might be uncertain about their animals falling under the XL Bully breed category. She advised those unsure to apply for an exemption certificate, stating, “If your dog is meeting a significant number of the criteria, I advise a precautionary approach and register your dog.”

Dr. Middlemiss also urged puppy owners uncertain about their "puppies may grow up to be of this dog type" to "comply with the relevant requirements and restrictions."<