Industry News: U.K. Aims to Ban “American XL Bully”
On September 15, 2023, the U.K. government announced its intention to add American XL Bully dogs to its list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dog Act. Read the full story here.
A panel discussion entitled, “XL Bully Ban: What We Know So Far,” was held on September 24, 2023. The panelists included Trevor Cooper (Solicitor), Mel Rushmore and Andrea Phillips (Deed Not Breed), and Mike Webb (Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home). Watch the recording here.
As stated in PPG’s position statement on breed specific legislation, “PPG holds that Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) such as this paints an unjust picture of certain breeds of dogs and punishes responsible dog guardians unnecessarily. PPG considers BSL to be ineffective in dog bite prevention and the safety of the public at large, and opposes any law or regulation that discriminates against dogs based purely on breed or appearance. Rather than approach the issues of dog bite prevention and public safety via such unsatisfactory means, PPG is of the opinion that educating pet industry professionals, pet dog guardians, and the general public in canine cognition, communication, and the use of science-based, force-free pet care and training methods are by far the most effective means of reducing dog bites and ensuring greater public safety.” Read PPG’s full position statement here.