XL Bully death rate has become even WORSE since ban imposed

A generic image of an XL Bully
An XL Bully was involved in another attack in Scotland
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George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 10/06/2024

- 13:38

Charities working closely with dogs say they are not shocked that the death rate remains high

The rate in which XL Bully dogs are killing people is at a higher rate than it was last year before the ban was introduced.

In the UK, the breed was banned on February 1, but despite this two people have been killed since it was brought into force.


This means 50 per cent as many people have died in the four months since the ban, as did in the entire 12 months of 2023.

In 2024 so far, XL bullies have been held responsible for the deaths of Esther Martin, 68, and Angeline Mahal understood to be in her 50s. Elsewhere, 23-year-old Nicole Morey was mauled to death on her birthday by her own XL Bully at her home in County Limerick.

\u200bAngeline Mahal was killed by an XL Bully (file pic)

Angeline Mahal was killed by an XL Bully (file pic)

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Ira Moss of the charity All Dogs Matter told Daily Star: "I’m not surprised...During the lead-up to the ban we, and all the other charities, were getting an average of 10 calls a day – I'm talking about over a month or two – quite a lot of dogs who have nowhere to go.

"Charities didn't want to take them in because they didn't want to be responsible. A lot of vets didn't want to put them to sleep they said they were protecting their mental health."

Reacting to the death of Morey, former detective Peter Bleksley called for further action to the taken and that the breed should "not exist entirely".

He told GB News: "I've been saying this for some time. Here we are yet again, discussing the utterly needless loss of yet another life. These stories are happening far too frequently.

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\u200bHillman Avenue, Jaywick, Essex, where Ester Martin was killed by an XL Bully

Hillman Avenue, Jaywick, Essex, where Ester Martin was killed by an XL Bully

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A protest taking place

Animal rights activists holding signs protest outside New Scotland Yard against the shooting dead of XL Bully dogs

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He added: "You can't tell Rover not to kill someone just because he or she's been licensed. It is time now to round them up and as humanely as can possibly be done, exterminate them."

However, responding to Bleksley's claims, dog trainer John Allison said it is the "owners that need to be licensed" and not the dog breeds.

He told GB News: "Peter is so far off the mark when it comes to anything in regards to dogs. You talk about licensing of dogs - it is the owners that we must license, and it's a serious lack of education that is leading to these incidents taking place.

"These deaths are extremely sad regardless of the dog breed. We do not want to see any deaths or injuries take place."

WATCH: Dog welfare expert urges the government to do more after XL Bully death

Ownership of American bully XL dogs is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Since December 31 2023, it has been against the law to sell, give away, abandon or breed from an XL bully.

Since February 1 2024, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.

Last year XL bullies are listed as the dogs responsible for the deaths of Natasha Johnston, 28, Jonathan Hogg, 37, Ian Price, 52, and Ian Langley, 54.

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