About two years ago our son rehomed an XL Bully, an illegal act in my country due to the Dangerous Dogs Act. As in 2023 it was officially added to the list of prohibited types under section 1.
It joins other dogs such as the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.
Since the ban took full effect in early 2024 it became a criminal offence to sell, gift or rehome an XL Bully. Breed this type, abandon the dog or even have it out in public without a muzzle and lead.
If you met our Stanley you'd see he hasn't got a bad bone in his body. He's just a big bundle of over exuberance, bit dim witted ball of fun. Admittedly he is very big! He loves to play with his toys but he can demolish them awfully fast.
This is Stanley playing with bubbles
Unfortunately where we stand is that despite having him neutered and microchipped, always wearing a muzzle, plus the police took him to assess his character and whether my son could provide a fit environment for him (all of which he passed) the dog is still under threat of destruction.
My son has been taken to court and fined £300 already. As parents we worry because it may be the case that the police have done with Stanley or they may yet come back to check if he has a Certificate of Exemption and third party insurance.
We feel caught in a Catch 22 in which we need to apply to the court for a Certificate of exemption then find a provider of third party insurance.
At present when I write there are no longer any issuers of such insurance.
I respect my son's wishes that he wants to sort this out himself - it is his dog after all. However I fear he will opt to just bury his head and hope for the best and that him and Stan will fly under the radar.
Our hopes are with Stanley that he will be safe.
