Richard Mohammed mentioned he had by no means seen any aggression in his dogs
An XL bully proprietor from Exeter who has rehomed a canine from a household in Birmingham has defended the breed as “loving” and “candy” .
A ban on the breed comes into power on 31 December, with homeowners needing an exemption to keep away from prison prices.
The authorities banned the crossbreed in October below the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 following a rise in fatal attacks.
The authorities mentioned it took “fast and decisive motion” to guard the general public.
Owners should resolve for themselves if their canine is a bully XL sort by checking it towards the federal government’s pointers, which incorporates sure measurements, to use for an exemption.
Drax is now dwelling in Exeter after his earlier household put him up for adoption
Richard Mohammed and his accomplice Sammy have an exempt XL bully referred to as Bane and so they adopted puppy Drax in October, a suspected XL bully.
The canine was bred from two XL bully dad and mom, however Mr Mohammed mentioned the canine was smaller than the federal government necessities.
“They’re simply the cutest puppies and the sweetest dogs,” he defined.
“You do not hear concerning the ones that run from folks, which are getting overwhelmed, deserted, or those the RSPCA get which are actually badly abused.”
Dr Sam Gaines, from the RSPCA, mentioned: “We have now sadly began to see an increase in abandonment; we now have had dogs sadly left at our centres.”
Michelle Jordan, from Exeter’s Pads for Pooches, which rehomed Drax, mentioned: “Up till the ban got here into impact, we have been by no means requested by a council, pound or vets to rehome an XL as a result of it has been deserted.
“Since October, we have had about 12 and we’re only one small rescue.”
Michelle Jordan helped to rehome Drax with Richard and his accomplice
She mentioned that earlier than October they’d been requested by homeowners to assist rehome “seven or eight” XL bullies.
“Since October, we are actually on about 37 or 38,” she mentioned.
Sue Smith, from K9 Crusaders in Cornwall, mentioned she was “inundated with calls from distressed homeowners” apprehensive their bull canine breeds, together with Staffordshire bull terriers, may come below the ban.
She mentioned: “I’ve spoken to folks sick with fear to the purpose of not having the ability to eat, sleep or operate usually.
“Some are experiencing a brand new hostility from inside their very own communities, with folks pointing the finger, giving disapproving seems and crossing the highway to keep away from the canine they have been fortunately fussing yesterday.”
Mr Mohammed mentioned his accomplice had additionally acquired hostility while walking their canine.
“Some man simply yelled out the automotive as he drove previous: ‘He must be put to sleep.’ It was upsetting. I used to be fairly shocked.”
Image supply, Richard Mohammed
Richard Mohammed’s dogs Bane and Drax
The RSPCA, K9 Crusaders, Pads 4 Pooches and Mr Mohammed mentioned that breed particular banning was not working.
“It falsely misleads the general public to assume that one sort of canine or one breed of canine is inherently aggressive when that is not the case,” Dr Gaines mentioned.
She added it additionally led to “unintended hurt for plenty of dogs whose behaviour would by no means pose danger to public security”.
It will likely be towards the legislation from 31 December to promote, abandon, give away, breed or have a XL bully in public with out a lead and muzzle.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson mentioned there had been an increase in canine assaults with the XL bully being “disproportionally concerned”.
It added: “That is why we now have taken decisive motion so as to add XL bully breed sorts to the listing of breeds prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which we firmly consider will cut back the danger to the general public.”
The division mentioned it was making an attempt to sort out canine management points throughout all breeds and was working with the Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce having “thought-about the position of schooling and coaching to scale back the danger of canine assaults.”
