Expert trainers, campaigners, and pets’ organisations have said the XL Bully ban is harming dogs, owners, and making people less safe, one year from its inception.
Opponents of the ban say that definitions are too broad and it is impossible to unregister a dog, leading to many animals being unnecessarily restricted.
They also say that the threat of dogs being put down, coupled with uneven policing, is driving owners to flout rules.
The High Court last week heard an appeal from campaigners who argue that the law is not effective.
Sophie Coulthard, founder of the Don’t Ban me Licence me campaign, also said that there was a danger of people hiding their dogs who they aren’t able to exempt or re-home.
She said: “If you’re keeping a dog inside because you’re scared to walk it because you’re worried that your neighbour will report you, it’s not good for animal welfare.
“And it could have more dangerous consequences.”
Jo-Rosie Haffenden, a trainer and expert witness said that half of the XL bully owners she worked with had not registered their dogs and that police were refusing to take action.
XL Bully owners’ Facebook groups also reveal a culture of non-compliance and mistrust as owners flout the law because of limited oversight and fears for their dogs’ safety.
The Dog Control Coalition, whose members include the British Veterinary Association, RSPCA, and The Kennel Club, said: “Our primary concern is the failure of the current approach to effectively protect public safety; scientific evidence has shown that breed is not a reliable or good predictor of risk of aggressive behaviour.
“We are also hugely concerned about the negative impact that this ban has had on tens of thousands of dogs and their owners.”
When announcing the ban, Rishi Sunak, then Prime Minister, said: “It is clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, it’s a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.
“While owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public.”
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