Dog attack victim named after PM vows to ban American bully XLs

We've been brining you the latest on a proposed ban on American bully XL dogs in the UK following recent attacks.

Let's take a look at what's happened so far:

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced these dogs will be outlawed by the end of year describing them as a "danger to communities"
• It follows an incident in Stonnall, Staffordshire, where 52-year-old Ian Price died after being attacked by two suspected American bully XLs
• A man, 30, from Lichfield has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remains under investigation
• Home Secretary Suella Braverman said American bully XLs are "a threat to life" and "cause misery in our communities", which is why the government is taking action to ban them
• Labour has supported the ban but criticised the PM for "dithering" over outlawing the cross-breed
• Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf says he will also consider introducing a ban on the dogs
• The UK's leading animal groups have issued a joint statement which said banning American bully XLs "will sadly not stop" dog attacks
• The groups - which include RSPCA, Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association among others - say they are "deeply concerned about the lack of data" behind the decision to ban these types of dogs

Family handoutCopyright: Family handout

A boy attacked and injured in Walsall by a Staffordshire bull terrier, leading to the arrest of a woman, remains in hospital with serious injuries to his arm and legs.

The dog had "come out of nowhere" to bite Mohammed, as he played with a football outside their home, his father Gohar Siddique said.

"He has had a very difficult time in hospital as well, and is scared, afraid, to go outside," he added.

"This will impact him for a long time."

The 60-year-old woman was detained on suspicion of possession of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury, and released with a caution.

The dog was seized and had since been destroyed, said West Midlands Police. The attack happened in Bentley Drive on Wednesday.

We've been getting a lot of reaction to the proposed ban on American bully XLs in the UK.

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You can find out more about dog trades in the Dogs, Dealers and Organised Crime documentary on BBC iPlayer. You can watch it here.

I've been talking to Prof Carri Westgarth at the University of Liverpool who specialises in dog behaviour.

She tells me Rishi Sunak's announcement raises many questions which must be considered.

"Key to the ban is the statement about looking into defining the XL Bully breed before it can be banned," Prof Carri says.

"However, proving a dog’s particular breed is difficult, especially when that breed is not recognised by most Kennel Clubs, and looks similar to other breeds.

"This has complicated the application of the current legislation concerning Pitbull types, and likely will again with XL Bullies, which are also just one-size type of the American Bully.

“It also raises the question whether banning a single breed will encourage those who want to own such a type of dog turn to owning and breeding other types, as happened with the development of the American Bully after the Pitbull were banned.

Quote Message: Overall, experts including anti-bully groups agree that if dog bites are to be effectively reduced, much more intervention and legislation are needed than simply banning one breed.” from Prof Carri Westgarth University of Liverpool

Overall, experts including anti-bully groups agree that if dog bites are to be effectively reduced, much more intervention and legislation are needed than simply banning one breed.”

BBCCopyright: BBC

A woman whose dog was killed by her neighbour's bully XL in May this year said she was “traumatised” and “still has nightmares” now.

Kim Lyde said the Bully started running towards her, until it diverted to her Chihuahua and “grabbed him in the mouth [and] ran off with her”.

She told BBC Radio 5 Live the Bully “basically murdered him in front of my very eyes".

“I truly believe my dog saved my life”, she said.

She welcomed the PMs announcement and believed these dogs should be banned regardless of how they are brought up or the level of expertise of their owner.

“How many people need to lose their life?" Kim said. "I’m just glad to this day I’m still standing.”

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

Scotlad's First Minister Humza Yousaf says he will consider introducing a ban on American XL bully dogs.

Although Yousaf said a "firm decision" had not yet been made, he admitted proposed legislation in England could mean "there may be opportunities to consider a ban up here in Scotland".

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) posted a statement from the Dog Control Coalition on its website.

It urged the UK government to tackle the "root issue by dealing with the unscrupulous breeders who are putting profit before welfare".

We're wrapping up our Q&A now - thanks for sending in your questions.

Solicitor Tina Wagon and criminal defence lawyer Rhianna Tsiattalou have answered some of the many questions you've sent in.

We'll continue to bring you more analysis as the announcement of a ban on American bully XL dogs sparks reaction across the country.

Yemi asks: Why do we not pass a law that all dogs, especially American bully XLs, have a strong muzzle when they go out of their house for walks?

The government’s aim in banning these types of dogs is to ensure their future extinction within England and Wales.

With this in mind, the ban looks to not only protect the public, but also prevent these breeds from being bred in future.

While a muzzle law could prevent the severity of attacks we have seen in recent weeks, it would likely be a challenge for authorities to enforce and some owners may not comply with these restrictions.

Gill, from Liverpool, asks will there be any exemption from a potential ban?

More breeds of dog can be added to the UK's list of banned breeds by the secretary of state, under Section 2 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

They are required to consult relevant people and organisations who have relevant knowledge before doing so. There is also the option for exemptions to be granted.

The current exemption scheme for the four types of dog that are currently banned allows for dogs to be exempted if a court is satisfied that the dogs do not pose a danger to the public and their owners are deemed to be fit and proper people to own a dog of that type.

Before a dog can be exempted it must be neutered, micro-chipped and have third party insurance and there are stringent conditions, including keeping it on a lead and muzzle in public for the rest of the dog’s life.

I anticipate a similar exemption scheme will extend to XL bullys.

Tony asks: Why not ban the American bully XL today? Earlier, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said they will be banned by the end of the year.

Bully XLs are not officially recognised as a breed by the Royal Kennel Club, and defining a breed can be challenging.

As a result, a ban on bully XLs could inadvertently lead to other dog breeds being included under the same definition and banned as a result.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA has argued that attacks are due to “irresponsible breeding, rearing and ownership” and breed-specific bans should end to prevent innocent animals being put down.

As well as problems with defining the breed, a ban on bully XLs creates a further logistical challenge.

The vast majority of dogs in England and Wales are not dangerous and their owners are responsible, and the government must recognise that many bully XL owners could not have anticipated when they bought their dog that it might subsequently be classified as dangerous by an act of parliament.

So, if we do move towards a ban, it is important to give current bully XL owners an appropriate opportunity to take steps in order to avoid being criminalised.

Michael G asks: Is it not possible for the government to legislate for all dogs to be muzzled in public, thereby preventing most dog bites?

Legislation could be passed to require all dogs to be muzzled in public.

It would not be very popular legislation given that the vast majority of dogs are good natured and friendly ones.

Such a measure would not prevent dog bites from happening in private places.

Sean says he's just moved out of the country for work, and taken his American bully XL. He asks where he stands on coming back home with him in future. "Do I need to consider coming home permanently before the ban is put in place?" he asks.

Firstly, prosecutions can be brought before a court based on just the physical characteristics of the dog (i.e. what it looks like).

Therefore, if you travel back to the UK after any ban, if the authorities believe your dog looks like an XL bully they could prosecute you under the Dangerous Dogs Act for owning a prohibited dog and subsequently seize your dog.

If you have a banned dog, the police or local council dog warden can take it away and keep it, even if it is not acting dangerously and there has not been a complaint.

The police may need permission from a court to do this if your dog is in a private place.

Matt, from Leeds, asks what will happen to these dogs that are already in the UK with owners? Will they have to be destroyed/removed from the country, and will the ban only apply to newly bred dogs?

When the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 first came out there was an amnesty which allowed owners to hand over their dogs to police to be destroyed or export them.

In 1997 the Dangerous Dogs Act was amended to allow dogs that did not pose a danger to the public to be exempted from being prohibited provided certain conditions were met.

I anticipate that a similar exemption scheme will apply if the ban on bully XLs comes into force.

Ann B asks how will this ban be enforced? She asks if it will be down to the public to report anyone for breeding, keeping American bully XLs, or if they are aware of the dogs being kept in boarding kennels.

The police will have the power to seize any prohibited type of dog that is in a public place.

If it is not in a public place, the police can apply to a magistrates’ court for a warrant to seize the dog.

Members of the public can get involved by reporting suspected prohibited dogs to the police. It is quite common for people to make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers.

Nathan S owns a six-year-old Johnson American Bulldog who they say hasn't ever shown signs of aggression. Will the government try and include all types of American Bulldog under the same banner?

Experts will need to work with the government to define “XL bully” dogs for the purposes of the legislation - as it is not currently a breed defined in law.

If your dog fits within the definition under the Dangerous Dogs Act it will be deemed to be one of the inherently dangerous breeds of dog.

However, the Act focuses on "types" rather than "breeds", which provides the courts with discretion in determining whether a particular dog falls within a category.

Rishi Sunak's vow to ban American bully XLs by the end of the year has led to a lot of questions - and we promised to put some of them to experts.

Answering your questions over the next hour or so, we have:

• Tina Wagon, a solicitor specialising in dog cases
• Rhianna Tsiattalou, a criminal defence lawyer

We'll hear what they have to say in the next few moments.

We've just heard that police have been given more time to question a man after the death of 52-year-old Ian Price, who died after being attacked by two dogs in Stonnall yesterday.

Detectives say they have been given another 10 hours to continue questioning a 30-year-old man, from South Staffordshire, in connection with the incident.

More than three decades ago, the UK became one of the first countries in the world to ban certain breeds of dogs.

Lord Baker was the home secretary at the time who was behind the Dangerous Dogs Act back in 1991 and he has just been giving his reaction to BBC Radio 4's PM programme explaining why he supports Rishi Sunak's announcement.

"I wrote to the Home Secretary last week to recommend her to to it," he says. "There are some dogs which are bred to be aggressive.

"Certain breeds are bred purely to fight. The American bully XL is certainly one of those. It killed someone just passing by - a man was killed by a dog.

"They've mauled other children. The prime minister is absolutely right to add it to the list of dangerous dogs which means they will be neutered or destroyed.

Quote Message: They have no place in the large, dog-loving public of the country." from Lord Baker

They have no place in the large, dog-loving public of the country."

Conservative MP Neil Hudson, who sits on the Commons environment committee looking at the ban for American bully XL dogs, has said the government needs to have "a more nuanced look at this".

"Some people say the breed-specific legislation does not work and we should look at the deed rather than the breed," he told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme.

"But I have to say that, once the deed is committed, it’s too late. And I think we have to have a more nuanced look at this, and it should be the deed and/or the breed."

He says the government will have to do what is right for human welfare and animal welfare.

"Human health and welfare is absolutely pivotal to this debate," he says.