It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Sunday, September 17, 2023
UK
XL bully dog ban: 6 developments in the past 24 hours
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has said the dogs will be banned by the end of the year in response to a series of attacks.
ITS THE OWNER NOT THE BREED
Jimmy Nsubuga Updated Sat, 16 September 2023 American XL bully dogs are set to be banned by the end of the year. (PA)
What's happening? The government is set to reveal details of a planned ban on American XL bully dogs.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak said the dogs will be banned by the end of the year in response to a series of attacks.
A man died after being attacked on Thursday by two dogs – suspected to be bully XLs – in Staffordshire.
The decision to ban the dogs was quickly backed by campaign groups but other organisations – including the RSPCA and the Kennel Club – said outlawing the animals would not stop attacks.
Questions also remain about how exactly a ban will be implemented and enforced, with concerns about the challenge of defining the dog breed given its cross-bred nature.
It comes amid questions over whether an “amnesty period” could be introduced for owners, with suggestions this would see an outright ban take effect in 2025.
Yahoo News rounds up some of the key developments from the XL bully dog ban announcement: Existing American XL bully dogs in UK will not face cull, says chief vet There will be an amnesty before a ban. (Getty)
UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss has reassured American XL bully dog owners there will be an amnesty before a ban is issued.
This would mean existing dogs were not culled and owners would instead be required to register the pets and use a muzzle and leash when in public, she told BBC Radio 4.
She said: “There’s also a huge amount of work ongoing already, about responsible breeding, responsible ownership and education of people who keep dogs that have the potential to be dangerous.”
American XL bully dogs ban backed by architect of Dangerous Dogs Act
The Baron Baker of Dorking has backed the ban. (PA)
Lord Baker, the architect of the Act during the Sir John Major era, said American XL bully dogs should be “neutered or destroyed” once the ban has come into force, with any permitted to live being “muzzled for the entire time”.
Speaking to LBC, the Tory peer said: “It should be done almost immediately because this is a very dangerous breed and it has actually killed children and attacked other people, and I do not accept the views of the Kennel Club and the RSPCA that breeds should not be banned.
“This dog is, in fact, bred in order to fight and to be aggressive. It has already done enough damage and the Prime Minister is absolutely right to add it.”
Mother of four-year-old attacked by XL bully torn on plans to ban breed
Amy Hobson, whose four-year-old daughter Luna was bitten by an XL bully, said she was undecided over the potential ban.
The 32-year-old told BBC Breakfast: “I do think they should ban them, but I also don’t think they should... there is a small majority of people out there that do look after their XL bullies.
“On the other hand, you’ve got a wide variety of people that just don’t care.”
Ministers set to work out American XL bully dogs ban after PM pledge
Rishi Sunak promises to ban American XL Bully dogs by end of 2023
Rishi Sunak has vowed to ban American XL Bully dogs saying 'it’s clear' the breed 'is a danger to our communities'.
Ministers will soon have to set out details of the prime minister’s planned ban on American XL bully dogs.
Sunak said he had ordered ministers to bring together police and experts to define the breed of dog behind these attacks so they can be outlawed.
But questions still need to be answered about how a ban will be implemented and enforced, with concerns about the challenge of defining the dog breed given its cross-bred nature.
What are American bully XL dogs – and why could the government face a tough time banning them?
XL bully dogs are set to be outlawed. (PA)
Adding American bully XL dogs to the banned list is the responsibility of environment secretary Therese Coffey's department.
But it is understood there are concerns over the feasibility of adding the American bully as the dog is not recognised as a specific breed by the Kennel Club.
It could be hard to define and a ban could inadvertently outlaw a range of other dogs.
Wheelchair-user with American XL bully as assistance dog supports ban
Hannah Cottrell, PA Sun, 17 September 2023
A wheelchair-user who owns an American XL bully as an assistance dog supports banning the breed in the UK, saying “it would be selfish for me not to advocate for this ban”.
Jerome Johnson, from Thornton Heath, south London, has had muscular dystrophy since birth, a condition which gradually causes muscles to weaken, and he said he is “unable to move, other than a few fingers”.
Mr Johnson, 31, is helped by his assistance dog Jennie, a seven-year-old XL bully, who carries items like his shopping for him, but also “provides protection” and “guards” him when they leave home.
Having owned her since November 2018, Mr Johnson said he has had to train her over a period of five years to “rewire her brain”, as he suspected she was “trained to attack” from being “bred to fight for a county lines drug dealing operation”.
Mr Johnson says he loves his dog and “she’s a good girl in my house”, but the banning of the breed in the UK “should be implemented” and “is needed”.
Jerome Johnson’s dog Jennie (Jerome Johnson/PA)
It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said American XL bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year, following a series of attacks.
Owners will not see their pets culled but are likely to face new restrictions, including a requirement to have the dogs neutered. Mr Johnson got Jennie as a rescue in November 2018 when she was two years old, saying he suspected she had been “bred to fight for a county lines drug dealing operation in nearby Thornton Heath”.
“They used her as protection when doing drops,” he said.
“I took her in after their operations had been shut down by the Met (Police).”
Mr Johnson said it has taken about five years to retrain her, which has been hard work but “we are almost there”.
He said he undertook “basic training” when Jennie first arrived, as well as a few fetching commands.
“She ripped through multiple tyres on my wheelchair which wasn’t ideal,” he said.
“Initially, I cannot lie, it was hard work.
Jerome Johnson says he loves his dog but the ban is needed (Jerome Johnson/PA)
“She was trained, after all, to attack, so I had to train her and rewire her brain.
“Now, five years later, we are almost there.”
He added that Jennie was initially “very aggressive” but has “mellowed” over the years.
“Occasionally she will bite my wheelchair which isn’t ideal but I think it’s more her playful nature than anything malicious,” he said.
Mr Johnson said Jennie carries things like his shopping but “most importantly” helps to protect him.
Recalling an incident when he was returning from a hospital appointment a few weeks ago, Mr Johnson said he was “accosted by a gang of youths”.
“Luckily I had Jennie, who lunged for one,” he said. “They all ran, it was a great relief.”
Mr Johnson said: “I think the ban is needed, as much as I love Jennie, there are far too many bad owners who use these dogs for ill intent – just like Jennie had before me.
“As much as she’s a good girl in my house, I couldn’t say I’d trust her with strangers alone.
“They have been bred for years and have a genetic make-up making them more prone to violent outbursts.
“I think it would be selfish for me to say otherwise – too many children have lost their lives.”
American XL bully row as vet chief says dogs will not be culled
Keith Perry Sat, 16 September 2023 The American XL Bully dogs that attacked and killed Ian Price in the garden of his mother's flat last week - facebook.com/harrison.pettitt.33
A row over the impending American XL bully ban has erupted after the Chief Veterinary Officer stated that owners will be allowed to keep their dogs.
The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, has announced an “amnesty” approach instead of mass destruction of XL bullies. Owners will be required to register their dogs and ensure their pets wear muzzles in public.
The ban, announced by Rishi Sunak on Friday, followed the tragic death of a 52-year-old man who was defending his elderly mother from an attack by two suspected American bully XLs. However, campaigners argue that not culling these dogs under the ban fails to eliminate the threat and may simply promote a black market trade in these animals.
Chief Veterinary Officer Professor Christine Middlemiss mentioned that reaching a “consensus” on the definition of XL bullies would be one of the first tasks for officials. She also confirmed there won’t be a cull of the dogs.
“There will be an amnesty. So, people who already have these dogs - some of which may be well-socialised, well-trained, and well-managed - will need to register them and take specific actions. Your dog will need to be neutered, muzzled in public, kept on a lead, and insured. However, if you comply with these actions, and we’ll know where these dogs are, which will be a significant benefit, then yes, you will be allowed to keep your dog.” Tragic death
This development comes after Ian Price’s tragic death due to multiple injuries sustained in an attack by two suspected American bully XLs near Walsall. A 30-year-old man arrested in connection with his death has been released on conditional bail, the police reported.
Mr Sunak stated on Friday that these dogs pose “a danger to our communities” and would be banned by the end of the year.
Pippa Apps, a dog behaviourist and founder of Best Behavior School for Dogs, believes that as long as this breed remains in people’s homes, they represent a serious danger.
Ian Price death prompted the Government to ban the XL bully breed
“The American bully has been selectively bred for power and strength,” she stated. “I wouldn’t have one in my house. They are too dangerous to be kept as pets. In the wrong hands, they are used as weapons and attack dogs. These new measures don’t go far enough and may encourage illegal breeding, much like what happened with pitbulls.”
Peta’s Vice President of Programmes, Elisa Allen, commented: “Banning American bullies and prohibiting the breeding of these dogs is the logical and responsible thing to do to safeguard the public. Also, because of their ‘macho’ appearance, they are the dog of choice for drug dealers, dog fighters, and other individuals who exploit them in horrific ways.”
Animal campaigner Debbie Matthews added, “XL bullies are used by the wrong people as status symbols. Will these measures stop people from using them as weapons? I think the breeders will simply create a different crossbreed and give it a different name.” Blame the owners
However, Sophie Coulthard, the owner of a bully XL dog named “Billy,” argued that blaming the dog alone is wrong, and more responsibility should be placed on the owner.
“There are people who have bred these dogs to be larger, possibly crossing an aggressive dog with another breed without considering temperament, which contributes to this issue,” she told the Today program.
“On the other hand, there are many people like me who have a bully breed, and their dog is exactly what the breed should be - a family pet, well-trained, well-socialised, and well-behaved, fitting into their family life.”
Legal academic Dr. Lawrence Newport stated on Times Radio: “We know that bans work, as we’ve had one in place on pitbulls since 1991. That ban has been very successful. In the UK, we have half the per capita deaths related to dogs that the US does, and that difference can be attributed to pitbulls.”
The American XL bully has a reputation for aggression but is not recognised by the Kennel Club, raising concerns that a ban could inadvertently outlaw other breeds.
Approximately 70 per cent of dog-related deaths in Britain are believed to be caused by XL bullies. Analysis by The Telegraph found that half of all American XL bully dogs are descendants of one inbred pet called Kimbo, which has produced dozens of unstable and violent animals.
Recently, a 60-year-old man was arrested after an 11-year-old, Ana Paun, was attacked by an XL bully and Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross in Birmingham last Saturday. Two men who came to her aid were also injured and needed hospital treatment.
Four-year-old Luna-Ann from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, required 40 stitches and plastic surgery after being bitten in the face by what her mother believes was an American bulldog crossed with an XL bully at a neighbour’s house in April. Her mother, Amy, 32, expressed her desire for a ban, and if not that, at least “they should all be muzzled, and a licence should be put in place.”
On Friday, a man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after he and four others were bitten by a dog. North Wales Police reported that this occurred during a “disturbance” at Palins Holiday Park in Kinmel Bay, Conwy County.
Two men, aged 58 and 28, were arrested, and the dog was seized on Saturday. Police were trying to establish its breed.
Opinion Inbreeding made the American Bully a monster. Rishi is right to ban it
This isn’t because of the owners – it’s because of their genes.
Rosalind Arden Fri, September 15, 2023
An American Bully XL called Kimbo
After another fatal attack, Rishi Sunak has vowed to ban the American Bully XL by the end of the year. It’s not a moment too soon. The breed is still relatively new, but has already taken a horrendous toll in attacks on people and animals. This isn’t because of the owners – it’s because of their genes.
All dog breeds are “shallow”; they’re mostly less than 200 years old. Through planned breeding, humans have made dogs the most variable animal on earth. The size scale in this single species goes from the sublime Great Dane, where adult males stand around 32 inches at the shoulders, to the ridiculous teacup Chihuahua, which grow up to six inches. And along with this diversity in size, we’ve shaped dogs’ behaviours.
We’ve created dogs who, with only a little training, will point to the avian victim of a shotgun, then run and collect the body with a soft mouth. We’ve made dogs that connect so powerfully with us that they look down their noses at other canines, much preferring our company with whom they can silently contemplate sheep and their shortcomings in the brain department. And most relevantly, we’ve created dogs that fight.
Bully dogs are a genetic mixture of two strains of dog designed by us. The first, Pit bulls, were bred in the early 1800 from parent-stock designed for the power, stamina and willingness to hang on to the faces of bulls. The second, the Mastiff, sports a glorious ancestry with at least a literary association with antiquity. The Romans sent the deep ancestors of the Mastiff back from Blighty to show their colours in bear and bull fights.
Into this formidable ancestry, we’ve introduced inbreeding. Inbreeding – or “line breeding” as it’s often known among dog enthusiasts – is the practice of mating a dam who looks and behaves as you want, with a sire who looks and behaves as you want. But breeders should be careful what they wish for. The modern Bully, like older dog breeds, is highly inbred. And behaviour is heritable; genes influence all behaviour. Half of all XL Bully dogs in Britain are descended from one animal, known as “Killer Kimbo”, whose offspring have been implicated in multiple fatal attacks.
This genetic background is extremely difficult to overcome. Yes, training and life experience influence behaviour, but the evidence is that dogs bred from fighting stock are much more pugnacious. Any responsible individual owner can invest the immense time, effort and consistency necessary to train any dog as a companion, but owners of the Bully face a genetic headwind that makes a storm look like a light breeze.
In addition to the aggression the dogs were bred for, there’s the musculature to contend with. Teacup chihuahua’s might bite, but are unlikely to cause much more harm than snagged hosiery before being popped back in the handbag. By contrast, the jaw muscles of an adult bully dog were shaped for hanging on to a bull. Few male forearms have anything like enough heft to pull off such a dog once engaged.
It’s not the American Bully’s fault they’re this way. We made them, and we should stop. Rishi is right to ban them.
Rosalind Arden is a research fellow at London School of Economics
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