In a recent development, the United Kingdom’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, has clarified that American Bully XLs will not face a cull but instead will be subject to an “amnesty” program. This announcement comes in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s declaration of a ban on these dogs, prompted by a tragic incident resulting in a man’s death following a suspected attack by American Bully XLs.

The ban proposal stirred mixed reactions within the country, with some welcoming the measure as a means to address concerns over the breed’s safety, while others argue that breed-specific bans are not an effective solution.

The fatal incident involved a 52-year-old man named Ian Price, who suffered multiple injuries during an attack by two suspected American Bully XLs near Walsall. A 30-year-old man, previously arrested in connection with Price’s death, has been released on conditional bail pending further investigation.

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss told the BBC the “amnesty” plan would mean American Bully XL owners would be required to register their dogs and take specific actions to ensure public safety. These actions include neutering their dogs, using muzzles and leashes in public, and obtaining insurance coverage. Compliance with these measures will allow owners to retain their dogs.

Rishi Sunak, who had initially declared the ban, emphasised that American Bully XLs were perceived as a “danger to our communities” and reiterated his commitment to enforcing the ban by the end of the year. However, the process of identifying and defining the breed’s characteristics under the Dangerous Dogs Act is expected to take time, according to Environment Minister Mark Spencer.

Spencer stressed the need to strike a balance between addressing safety concerns and protecting the rights of responsible pet owners. He acknowledged the complexity of identifying the specific characteristics of the breed to avoid mistakenly banning dogs with similar appearances but different temperaments.