Owners of XL Bully dogs in Bucks Beds and Herts must now keep them muzzled and on lead
It's now also illegal to breed, abandon or giveaway one of these dogs
From today, all owners of American XL Bully dogs in Bucks Beds and Herts must make sure their pets are muzzled and on a lead, when in public.
It will now also be illegal to breed, abandon or giveaway one of these dogs, after the Government announced plans to ban them following a number of attacks.
For Laura Bradshaw, dog trainer and behaviourist at TLC Dog Academy in Milton Keynes, muzzle training should be natural for all dogs, not just XL Bullies.
She said: "Everybody should train their dog to wear a muzzle because you never know when you'll need it, you could need a muzzle at any time."
"Accidents happen and it's there as a protection barrier for your dog."
"Training does come into it but you also have their breeding background, wherever they were raised..."
Although the ban will help protect the humans and other dogs, the XL Bullies who will lawfully remain with their owners will live a very different life, which is a concern for Ms Bradshaw.
She said: "When you think of puppies that are just going to go home, they're not going to know any different but the adults are."
"All of the owners of these adult dogs will be grieving the life that their dog should have, that they were supposed to have, and that they have had."
Ms Bradshaw highlighted the importance of checking a dog's background and training before taking them in, as incidents can happen with any dogs who have had a traumatic past.
She said: "Training does come into it but you also have their breeding background, wherever they were raised, how the parents were, there's a whole range of factors."
To keep an XL Bully dog it must be:
-Microchipped
-Kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public
-Kept in a secure place so it cannot escape
-Neutered
As the owner, you must also:
-Be over 16 years old
-Take out third party public liability insurance against your dog injuring other people
-Be able to show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days