Inside The Crisis Of XL Bully Dogs In UK Kennels

Behind high fences and vigilant CCTV cameras, a troubling reality is playing out in specialist kennels across the UK. Following the ban on XL bully dogs introduced in 2024, these facilities are now housing over 500 of the breed, with many dogs classified as dangerously aggressive. BBC Panorama was recently granted rare access to one of these private kennels, where the atmosphere is tense and the barking relentless.

At this facility, which is one of seven run by the same company, around 120 dangerous dogs are kept in rows of metal cages, their aggression levels graded from green to black based on their behavior. Only two dogs in the entire facility are classified as least aggressive, highlighting a stark shift in the type of animals being housed since the ban. "We're always at capacity," said Mark, the kennel owner who spoke to the BBC under a pseudonym for safety reasons. "There is never a time when our kennels aren't full. And in the last few years, it's XL bullies filling them."

Mark's team is frequently called to assist police in the aftermath of dog attacks, and he expressed a deep dread over the increase in incidents during school holidays. "I hate school holidays. I dread the phone ringing because the bites do increase during the holiday period and half-term, and it's just horrendous," he said. Official police figures indicate that dog attacks in the UK have been rising year on year since 2018, and the situation has worsened since the ban, with at least six people killed in attacks involving XL bullies in the year following the legislation.

The reasons for the increase in attacks are complex. As dogs purchased before the ban reach maturity, authorities expect incidents to escalate. Patrick O'Hara, the tactical lead for dangerous dogs in England and Wales, warned that the trend is likely to continue. "In the short term, I think we will continue to see dog attacks as these dogs start to come of age and reach maturity. So, I think it's going to probably get worse before it gets any easier," he stated.

Mark recounted harrowing experiences responding to attacks, stating, "I've seen too many life-changing injuries over the last three years, more than people can even realize." He described one particularly disturbing incident where a dog had to be seized from the scene, still with the body of its victim. "It's bad with an adult. It's even harder with a kid for me," he lamented. The emotional toll on kennel staff is evident, as they navigate the complex dynamics of public safety and animal welfare.

In addition to the rising number of attacks, the kennels are also grappling with a surge in abandoned dogs. The RSPCA reported that 21 XL bullies were abandoned in the year before the ban, but this number skyrocketed to 129 in the first six months after the legislation came into effect. Abandoned dogs must be kept for a minimum of seven days, but if they are of a banned breed, they are euthanized on the eighth day if not claimed. Mark expressed his anguish over this reality, saying, "I certainly didn't come into this business to put dogs to sleep. But would you rehome that dog, not knowing anything? Because I wouldn't."

The legal framework surrounding XL bullies has also come under scrutiny. The ban requires owners to register their dogs and adhere to lifelong restrictions, including muzzling, insurance, and neutering. Failure to comply can result in dogs being seized and destroyed or owners receiving £200 in government compensation to have their pets euthanized. Critics argue that the legislation is inadequate, with calls for greater accountability placed on dog owners. Marie Smith, the mother of Morgan Dorsett, a 19-year-old killed by an XL bully in February 2025, emphasized the need for stricter regulations. "The legislation doesn't work. My daughter wouldn't be dead now if it did work. The law needs to change," she said.

In a recent court case, an 84-year-old man, John McColl, was killed by an XL bully in Warrington. The dog, named Toretto, was later shot by armed police after the attack. Such tragic incidents have prompted families and experts alike to advocate for more stringent measures that focus on the behavior of owners rather than just the dogs themselves. "To have a gun in your home, you need to have a license. Where are these checks for these dogs? Where are they? There's none," Marie Smith lamented.

The government has responded to these concerns, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stating it is continuing to assess whether current dog control rules are sufficient to protect communities. They acknowledged the need to balance public safety with the views of those opposed to the ban. As the situation continues to evolve, the pressure on kennels, law enforcement, and animal welfare organizations is mounting.

Mark's kennel, like many others, is a microcosm of a larger societal issue. With the number of dangerous dogs increasing and limited resources available to manage them, the challenges are far from over. "Some of these dogs shouldn't be going home… that terrifies me, that they're going to be coming back in," Mark said, highlighting the cyclical nature of the problem. As the public grapples with the implications of the XL bully ban, the focus remains on finding effective solutions that prioritize both safety and the welfare of the animals involved.

As Mark concluded, "People need to understand what is happening in society, what they're reading in the papers. They need to understand it. This is a problem." With the stakes so high, it is clear that the discussion surrounding XL bullies and dog ownership in the UK is far from over.