Ban to be Imposed on American Bully XLs Following Dog Attack, Victim Identified

The prime minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has announced that the American bully XL dog breed will be banned following a suspected attack that resulted in a man's death. Sunak stated that these dogs pose a danger to communities and the ban will be implemented by the end of the year. The victim, Ian Price, was critically injured by two dogs near Walsall on Thursday and unfortunately passed away on Friday. While many have expressed support for the ban, some owners and animal groups argue that a breed-specific prohibition will not be effective. According to Sunak, this issue goes beyond a few poorly trained dogs and represents a pattern of behavior that cannot be tolerated. He has ordered law enforcement agencies and experts to legally define the breed so that it can be prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which applies in England, Wales, and Scotland. This decision to ban the American bully XL breed comes in response to the recent attack that claimed the life of Mr. Price. A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of dogs that were dangerously out of control, as well as for manslaughter. The police had been called to previous incidents involving the same dogs. Emma Whitfield, whose 10-year-old son was killed by an American bully XL dog earlier this year, expressed shock and gratitude for the ban. She had fought hard to raise awareness about the dangers these dogs can pose. Lord Baker, the Tory peer secretary who introduced the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991, supports the prime minister's decision, stating that American bully XLs are inherently aggressive and have no place among the dog-loving public. The American bully XL is the largest type within the American bully breed, weighing over nine stone (60kg). However, it is not recognized by major British dog associations like the Kennel Club. This breed has been involved in several high-profile attacks, including the recent incident in which an 11-year-old girl was attacked and two men who came to her aid were injured. Campaign groups Bully Watch, the Campaign for Evidence Based Regulation of Dangerous Dogs, and Protect Our Pets have welcomed the government's announcement, calling American bully XLs a clear threat to public health. The Labour party also supports the ban, but criticized the government for taking too long to act. Not everyone agrees with the ban, as some owners and animal groups argue that a breed-specific approach is not the solution. They believe that responsible ownership and addressing unscrupulous breeders are more effective ways to prevent dog attacks. The Dog Control Coalition, which includes organizations like the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs Home, questions the ban and argues that the Dangerous Dogs Act has failed to reduce dog bites. It is still uncertain how a ban on the American bully XL breed would be implemented, and Downing Street stated that no final decision has been made regarding the fate of existing dog owners or whether the dogs would be euthanized. The ban would need to come through the Department for Farming, Environment and Rural Affairs, which has already been working on plans to outlaw this type of dog.