An expert has warned that ‘backyard breeders' will begin to rear dogs that ‘you do not want on the street’ if the ban on XL bullies comes into action.
Liverpool-based animal rescue centre Carla Lane Animals in Need says it has seen an increase in the number of abandoned XL bullies since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said a ban would be introduced on the breed following a spate of attacks.
In a statement, Sunak said: "The American XL bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children.
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"I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen.
"It's clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs.
"It's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.
"While owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public.
"Today I have tasked ministers to bring together police and experts to firstly define the breed of dog behind these attacks, with a view to then outlawing it.
"It is not currently a breed defined in law, so this vital first step must happen fast.
"We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year."
However, Sanctuary Manager Cathy Billington told ITV that a blanket ban ‘will not solve the problem’ with XL bullies and compared it to the Government’s 1991 ban on pitbulls, which she says ‘never solved the problem’ either.
She told the news outlet: "The problem is always going to be breeding of dogs.
"Because we are having every backyard breeder breeding these XL bullies that aren't being socialised, aren't being trained properly."
She added: "You then ban the XL bullies, they'll move onto the cane corsos, the presa canarios - which you do not want on the streets, you really don't.
"They're going to be worse than the XL bullies in regard to bite factor." Both breeds mentioned by Billington are larger than XL bullies.
Cane corsos are often used for guard dogs or livestock guardians and are closely related to a Neapolitan Mastiff.
According to the American Kennel Club, training for cane corsos is particularly important due to their size.
“Early socialisation and puppy training classes are recommended for all dogs, but for a breed as big and strong as a cane corso, they are a must,” it states.
“Many cane corsos can be dominant and protective; socialisation will help ensure that they grow into well-adjusted, well-mannered adults.
“Obedience training will keep them from becoming the boss in the household.”
While the PDSA warns: “We really wouldn’t recommend having a cane corso if you have small children."
Meanwhile, presa canario are a large and powerful breed of dog that hail from Spain - much like the cane corso they are often used to help look after livestock.
And again, much like the cane corso - early obedience training is a must with such a large breed.
Website animalso.com explains: “The Perro de Presa Canario is a breed with working instincts. It is naturally dominant with the potential to assert aggression. After all, it was originally used to attack wild dogs and defend livestock.
“Because of this, Presa Canario training should involve early socialisation and obedience.”
Claire Reid