The XL Bully ban could cost police £25 million in vet fees, with no clear drop in dog attacks expected.
Essex: The XL Bully ban is set to cost police £25 million this year. This includes vet and kennel fees. Sadly, there’s no sign of fewer dog attacks yet.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council shared that the ban is a big burden. They say it’s tough for police forces in Britain. The breed was banned last year after some serious attacks.
As the ban’s first anniversary approaches, Chief Constable Mark Hobrough spoke out. He mentioned that police are facing high kennel costs. They seized over 4,500 suspected banned dogs between February and September.
Keeping these dogs costs about £1,000 a month each. With court delays, costs could hit £25 million by the end of the financial year. That’s a huge jump from £4 million in 2018.
Hobrough said, “The cost for veterinary and kennelling will come to £25 million.” He added that this doesn’t include overtime or special equipment costs.
Last February, two XL Bully dogs tragically killed Esther Martin. This incident raised concerns about public safety.
Hobrough called for changes to help manage the costs. He suggested options for out-of-court solutions and recovering costs from dog owners.
He also emphasized the need for better education on responsible dog ownership. This way, people can choose breeds that fit their lifestyle.
“We will protect our communities,” he said. “But we need government support to handle the demand from the ban.”
The ban changed the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. It became illegal to own an XL Bully without a special certificate. Animal welfare groups opposed this change.
Officials thought about 10,000 owners would register their dogs. Instead, over 55,000 registered, agreeing to rules like neutering and muzzling.
After the ban, 848 dogs were surrendered and euthanized, costing £340,000 in vet fees. There was no assessment of their danger level.
CC Harborough noted they haven’t seen fewer dog attacks yet. Official figures are still pending.
Last year, reports showed a 9% rise in dog incidents since the ban. XL Bully owners protested against the ban in London last October.
Patrick O’Hara, the NPCC’s lead for dangerous dogs, confirmed no reduction in incidents. Many forces are adding staff to manage the situation.
Since the ban, 100 new Dog Liaison Officers have joined forces in England and Wales. Another 40 will be trained this year.
They expect the number of XL Bullies to decrease over time. However, it won’t happen quickly. It will take generations.
They also worry about breeders who might find ways around the ban. “This won’t be an overnight fix,” O’Hara said.
A government spokesperson stated that the ban is crucial for public safety. They expect all XL Bully owners to follow the rules.
They are working with police and animal welfare groups to prevent dog attacks. The goal is to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds.
