Helen@helshounds.co.uk +44(0)7356 072133
The dog featured here is a Staffordshire bull terrior NOT an XL bully. But he is just as at risk as many of his breed!
You, Your Bully type dog and the Law - what you need to know and do
Hel’s Hounds
So you have a bully-type dog, a staffy, an American bulldog, a cane corso or even a bull mastiff. They can all be mistaken for an XL, defined in the new legislation as “The XL Bully breed type is a variant of the wider American Bully breed type. The XL Bully breed type is
typically larger (both in terms of height and body shape) and more muscular than other American Bully
breed types such as the ‘Micro’, ‘Pocket’, ‘Standard’ and ‘Classic’.” [1]
In the guidance, assessors are advised to identify XL’s by their physical characteristics, such as height, the shape of the face, the tail and the coat.
Now, we can argue all day about the right and wrongs of breed-specific legislation vs the number of dangerous or even fatal attacks by some XL types. We can sign petitions all day long and hold protests, but the thing is, the law is here, and the chances of us overturning it now are slim to none, realistically.
So, here at Hel’s Hounds, we believe that everyone’s energy would be much better spent protecting the dogs who are going to be caught up in all this madness.
While the legislation will undoubtedly allow for dangerous dogs to be removed from inappropriate environments, there is a lot of scope for misuse and abuse here.
Dogs who fit the description of an XL type can be reported as a dangerous dog for simply barking at the wrong person. Dogs, under this law, should not cause undue fear or distress to the public. So, by this logic, Rex only needs to bark at the wrong person with a dog phobia.
Your responsibilities under the law now:
The law states that if you own an XL type, you must have pet insurance and public liability insurance for your dog. Not all insurers will insure XL’s now, nor will they automatically give public liability insurance so check with your insurer and read your policy carefully!
It also states that your dog must be neutered and microchipped (as all dogs should). They must be under control in public, wear a muzzle and lead. Their lead must be held by a responsible person over the age of 16.
If your dog is an XL, they must have an exemption, which can now only be issued by court order.
You must not give away, sell or otherwise rehome your XL type, and you are not allowed to breed from them.
You should not allow your dog to stray; keep them in an environment that will stop them from escaping.
Your dog must live at the same address as listed on your exemption certificate. With the person named.
The police can ask for proof of exemption and insurance, which you must provide within 5 days; they can also ask for access to your dog to check their microchip.
So now the staying safe bit
Many people argue that for a lot of bully types, it is not a case of if the knock on the door will come but a case of when. This might seem dramatic to you, but is it really? Has your dog never barked at someone or something they aren’t entirely sure of? Can you know, with 1000% certainty that they won’t in the future?
So, let us go with when, when the knock on the door comes, the officer will take your dog, crate them and remove them to kennels where they will be subject to temperament tests and intimate examinations. And realistically no one is going to put themselves at risk for your dog, if they show the slightest bit of hesitancy or nervousness, anything that could be misinterpreted, your dog will be catch poled, yes one of those ridged poles with a constricting collar that gives the handler greater control. This will not look good in assessments.
Also, bear in mind that the officer who has been sent to collect your dog likely won't have met you or your dog before. Their first introduction is how your dog reacts to the knock on the door. A barking, scrambling, vicious-sounding hound from the pits of hell itself is not the image you want to be conjuring!
What to do if you get the knock:
Rule number 1: stay calm. Your dog will pick up on your emotions.
Keep your head, listen to what you are being told. Have they come to just look at your dog? Have they come to take them? Do they have a warrant? Are you in a public place?
The police require a warrant to seize a dog from a private place such as your home. However, this is not the case if you are in public.
Ensure all the paperwork is correct if they are trying to seize your dog. But do not sign anything without legal advice.
Seek legal advice. Your insurance company may be able to help.
Your dog will be taken to kennels where an expert will assess them; if they are deemed to be a dangerous breed and a potential danger to the public, they will remain in kennels until you have a court date, and you will likely not be allowed to see them. However if they are not deemed to be a danger then they may be released back into your care. You will likely have to comply with specific conditions, such as muzzling.
The court will make a final decision as to whether your dog is a banned/ dangerous dog and whether you will be allowed to keep them or not. If you are allowed to keep them they will be subject to the rules of the law.
It would be best to cooperate with the police at the point of seizure; you want to make things as easy as possible for your dog. Then follow any legal advice you are given.
Still a staffy, not an XL!
Avoiding the knock:
For bully types, socialisation truly must be neutral. Your dog cannot be too aloof (this doesn't go down well with some because your dog seems skittish and scared), but nor can they be over-friendly because this can scare some, which is precisely what they are not supposed to be doing!
Teach your dog that strangers are ok. They don’t mean that dogs can jump all over people, nor are they to be feared.
When you are out and about, acclimatise them to all sorts of different things they might see. Try to cover all your bases: screaming children, barking dogs, prams, bikes, and skateboards. Teach them to stay calm. A calm dog is a safe dog in this case,
As I have mentioned, your dogs reaction to knocking on the door can be important. You don’t want a scared postie reporting you because your dog sounds like Cerberus himself! Train your dog to either not react or give a quiet and appropriate response, such as going to their bed.
Not an XL bully!
How to make life easier:
There are a few things you can train in advance to make life easier for your dog in the worst case scenario.
- Muzzle training
- Teaching your dog to be okay with being handled by others
- Teach your dog to be ok getting in and out of a car for you and others
- Crate training
- Teach your dog to accept handling for examinations
- Calm greetings
- Recall
- Basic obedience training
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