Is the XL Bully Ban Working?

Dog Bite Incidents and Legislation in 2025: Is the XL Bully Ban Working?

Dog bite incidents remain a serious and growing concern across England and Wales, with new data raising questions about the effectiveness of current legislation. Despite the introduction of breed-specific bans, most notably the XL Bully ban in February 2024recent reports suggest that dog attacks are not decreasing at the expected rate.

Fatal Dog Attacks Continue Despite Breed Bans

Perhaps the most surprising and troubling finding is the continued frequency of fatal dog attacks, particularly involving breeds that have already been banned. Since the XL Bully ban was introduced, there have been more than nine fatal dog attacks, five of which involved XL Bullies. Many of these occurred in private homes, underscoring the challenges of enforcing the ban in domestic settings.

While the intent behind breed-specific legislation is clear; protecting the public from dangerous dogs, the data points to a lack of tangible impact. Breed bans, critics argue, often address the symptom rather than the root causes of dog aggression, such as poor training, irresponsible ownership, and lack of socialisation.

Dog Bite Hotspots: Merseyside and Beyond

Certain regions continue to experience disproportionately high rates of dog-related injuries. Merseyside, in particular, remains a hotspot despite ongoing safety campaigns. Recent figures show that dog bite incidents in the region have only dropped by 4% since 2023, with the summer months seeing the highest spikes in attacks.

This persistent trend suggests that regional enforcement and public education efforts may need to be reassessed. The slight decline may reflect better reporting or awareness rather than a meaningful reduction in incidents.

Recent Case: Toddler Seriously Injured in Lancashire

A stark reminder of the real-world consequences came in May 2025, when four-year-old Antonio Quinn was attacked by a Pocket Bully in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. The dog reportedly escaped from a neighbour’s house and inflicted severe facial and leg injuries on the child. Quick intervention by a family friend prevented the attack from escalating further.

This case attracted national attention; not only for the severity of the injuries, but also for the uncertainty around the breed classification. As in many similar incidents, questions were raised about ownership responsibility and the adequacy of current control measures.

Time to Rethink Breed-Specific Legislation?

There is growing consensus among animal welfare organisations and public safety campaigners that breed-specific bans are not enough. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and other stakeholders have renewed calls for a comprehensive national dog bite prevention strategy.

Proposed reforms include:

• Mandatory dog ownership training and licensing
• Education campaigns in schools and communities
• Increased funding for local authority dog control teams
• Stricter enforcement of existing control measures across all breeds

These suggestions shift the focus away from the dog’s breed and towards the actions, and responsibilities, of owners.

The Legal Landscape: Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Under current legislation, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it a criminal offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in public or private. The Act bans the ownership, breeding, sale, or transfer of specific breeds, including the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and, since 2024, the XL Bully.

Despite these legal measures, enforcement remains inconsistent. Many experts argue that the Act is outdated, reactive, and difficult to apply in today’s complex landscape of dog ownership and breeding.

Final Thoughts

The data and case studies emerging in 2025 paint a clear picture: while the intention behind the XL Bully ban and similar legislation is to protect the public, the execution and overall impact are falling short. Fatal attacks, regional hotspots, and tragic cases involving children continue to highlight the limitations of a breed-specific approach.

As pressure builds on lawmakers, a more holistic strategy, centred on responsible ownership, education, and consistent enforcement, appears to be the most viable path forward.