As of February 1, 2024, owning an American Bully XL will be illegal in England and Wales unless owners secure an exemption. These dogs must be muzzled and leashed in public starting January 2023. They will also need to be neutered.
The American Bully XL is not officially recognized by the UK Kennel Club and is being banned due to incidents involving the breed. The ban will mirror the regulations for other banned breeds. However, the ban does not yet apply to Northern Ireland or Scotland. Owners can keep their dogs if they register them on the Index of Exempted Dogs and meet certain conditions.
Dog lovers argue that breed banning is not a solution and that addressing irresponsible breeders and owners is more important. Several organizations have protested against the ban.
