Police have issued a warning to the public as it’s estimated thousands of Brits have missed the deadline for the XL bully ban.
From today (1 February), an outright ban on the breed is in place across England and Wales and it is now a punishable criminal offence to own an unregistered dog.
The deadline for owners to apply online for an exemption certificate for their XL bully expired at midday yesterday.
It was reported that over a whopping 30,000 XL bullies were registered.
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However, the true number of the banned pooches in the UK is believed to be way higher.
RSPCA’s dog welfare expert, Dr Sam Gaines, told the BBC that veterinary professionals say there are about 40,000 to 50,000 XL bullies in reality – while others even put that as high as 100,000.
Dr Gaines said: "There are definitely going to be owners of XL bullies who will have not gone through the exemption process and obviously that is a concern.
"This is why we need to make sure resources are focused on individuals who are deliberately keeping dogs because they want to threaten people with them, frighten people and intimidate them."
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So, with the ban now in force in England and Wales, the National Police Chief Council has warned the public to call 101 to report dogs being kept in breach of this law.
NPCC Dangerous Dogs Lead Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hobrough told The Independent: “There’s an obligation on everybody within society to stop a serious or fatal dog attack happening within their own community.
“We are encouraging people to pick up the phone if they have any concerns about a dog.”
Restrictions on XL bullies came into place on 31 December, making it illegal to sell, gift, exchange, breed or abandon the dogs.
Legal requirements of keeping them on a lead and muzzled while in public were also introduced.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cracked down on the ownership of the XL bully dog breed after an increase in maulings which resulted in death – with 23 people tragically losing their lives due to vicious dog attacks in the last three years.
For owners to have been able to keep their pet from today onwards, they had to pay a fee of £92.40 to get a Certificate of Exemption, as well as their pet insured and neutered.
While this ban only covers England and Wales, it was previously confirmed that Scotland will follow suit, with restrictions being introduced from 23 February.
Jess Battison