American XL bully dogs to be banned in the UK, what other dogs are on the ban list?

There have been several incidents involving American XL bully dogs and the recent has caused the breed to be banned in the UK. Campaigners argued that the breed is ‘a clear and present threat to public health’.

Rishi Sunak announced the ban on the dog breed as he ‘shared the nation's horror’ after a man was mauled to deatd. Sunak said:

I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

It is clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, it's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on

There are already four other dog breeds that are banned in the UK.

Too many dog attacks by American XL bully dogs

As reported by Sky News, the breed of American XL bully dogs has already been considered for banned last weekend (September 9) after an 11-year-old girl was attacked by the breed in Birmingham.

On Thursday, September 14, a man was mauled to death by two American XL bullies in Stonnall, Staffordshire, it was this attack that led the government to take action against the breed.

According to South Yorkshire Police, there have been 4 different dog attacks on children in the space of 2 days, including a 15-year-old being hospitalised in Sheffield.

Dog Control Coalition, which encompasses animal charities including the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club explained that banning the dog breed will not limit the number of dog attacks.

A spokeswoman explained:

The biggest priority for everyone involved is to protect the public - but banning the breed will sadly not stop these types of incidents recurring

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What other dog breeds are banned in the UK?

American XL bully dogs are the fifth dog breed to be banned in the UK, the four other breeds are Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro, as per the government website.

As these dogs are banned, that means it is illegal to own these breeds but also to sell, abandon or give away one of these breeds and of course it is illegal to breed these dogs.

The government website explains that whether or not your dog is a banned type depends on what it look like, not its breed. Their example states:

If your dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type.

Sources used:

Sky News: ‘American XL bully dogs to be banned after attacks, Rishi Sunak says’

Gov.UK: ‘Controlling your dog in public’