Coventry – Two years after the UK government imposed a ban on XL bully dogs in response to a wave of serious attacks, a prominent local dog trainer has voiced strong doubts about its success. Steve Constantinou, owner of three exempted XL bullies and operator of Spartan Kennels, maintains that the restrictions have only complicated life for responsible handlers. The measure, enacted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, required owners to neuter, register, and muzzle their animals or face criminal penalties.[1][2]
Daily Life Transformed for Compliant Owners
Steve Constantinou described a routine upended by the ban’s demands. He now walks his large dogs five miles each morning to burn off energy, since public off-lead exercise remains off-limits. This shift came after February 2024, when ownership without an exemption certificate became illegal in England and Wales.[1]
Costs have mounted too. Constantinou pays around £300 monthly for access to a private field where his dogs can run free. “That is a massive amount of money to be spending extra that I don’t need to,” he stated. Before the restrictions, his pets enjoyed unrestricted play, but media coverage has since fueled public stigma.[1]
Attacks Continue Unabated Post-Ban
Specialist kennels report no letup in XL bully incidents. In the year after the ban took full effect, at least six fatalities occurred from such attacks. Private facilities housing seized dogs stay at capacity, with over 500 XL bullies across seven sites.[2]
Dog attacks overall rose slightly in 2024, reaching 31,920 incidents in England and Wales, up 2% from the previous year. Kennel managers noted a shift: 90% of pre-ban dogs graded as low-risk, compared to just two out of 120 now. Police anticipate more trouble as pre-ban puppies mature.[3][2]
Responsible Ownership Takes the Hit
Constantinou pinpointed the core flaw. “The only thing that it’s done has put pressure on good responsible dog owners because there are so many dogs that were not registered and the majority of these are the ones that end up being out of control,” he explained. Exempted animals like his follow strict rules – muzzles in public, leads at all times – yet face judgment.[1]
Abandonments surged too. The RSPCA recorded 21 XL bully cases in the year before the ban but 129 in the first six months afterward. Kennels destroy unclaimed dogs after seven days, as rehoming banned breeds proves impossible. Housing expenses for dangerous dogs jumped from £4 million in 2018 to £25 million post-ban.[2]
Shifting Focus from Breed to Behavior
Constantinou urged a rethink. “I think we’ve got to the point where we’re blaming the breed rather than blaming the people who should be responsible owners,” he said. He advocated mandatory training and licensing over blanket prohibitions.[1]
Others echoed this. A victim’s relative called for owner vetting akin to firearms checks. Police leads predicted long-term challenges, noting XL bullies would persist for generations. The government continues to assess the rules’ impact alongside police and veterinary groups.[2]
- Strict muzzling and lead requirements in public spaces.
- Neutering and microchipping for exemptions.
- Bans on breeding, selling, or abandoning the breed.
- Criminal penalties for non-compliance.
- Seizure and potential destruction of unregistered dogs.
Key Takeaways:
- The ban has not halted XL bully attacks, with fatalities and injuries persisting.
- Responsible owners face higher costs and restrictions, while unregistered dogs evade controls.
- Calls grow for owner accountability over breed-specific measures.
Two years in, the XL bully ban highlights a tough balance between public safety and pet welfare. While attacks demand action, trainers like Constantinou warn that punishing breeds ignores poor ownership. What do you think about the ban’s record? Tell us in the comments.
