By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-06-09 22:05:14 | Updated at 2026-06-10 15:31:21
17 hours ago
Legislation introduced to Parliament today will prohibit leaving children younger than 12 unsupervised with XL bullies and other dangerous dogs across England and Wales.
Those who breach the new rules face financial penalties and could have their animals confiscated by authorities.
The measures extend current restrictions that apply to owners of exempt dogs from banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Since February 2024, possessing an XL bully without an exemption certificate has constituted a criminal offence.
The new requirements are scheduled to take effect from November 1, strengthening protections for young people around breeds classified as dangerous.
The legislation follows a series of fatal incidents involving the breed. Last year, a 10-year-old girl died after being attacked by her family's XL bully.
A nine-month-old infant also died in a separate mauling by the same type of dog during the same period.
XL bullies are an American pitbull-type breed known for their considerable strength, with some animals reaching weights of up to 60kg.
Legislation will now stop dangerous dogs being left with children under 12
The breed has been linked to numerous attacks in recent years.
Existing laws already prohibit selling, breeding, abandoning or giving away XL bullies, while owners must keep them muzzled and on leads in public spaces.
Animal welfare minister Sue Hayman stated: "No child should ever be left alone with a dangerous dog.
"These rules are about putting safety of children first."
The legislation expands restrictions passed XL Bully's
Welfare specialists advise that youngsters should never be left unattended with any canine, regardless of breed.
Research indicates that children face a greater risk of being bitten compared to adults.
Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA's dog welfare expert and lead on dog control, said: "Our advice to all parents with dogs is to never leave kids and dogs alone, unsupervised."
She added: "The bond between dogs and children can be absolutely wonderful, but it's important to remember that pets and young kids communicate very differently and, no matter how well we think we know our dogs, there are sometimes instances when they bite."
The RSPCA, which opposed the XL bully ban and does not support breed-specific legislation, expressed disappointment with the narrow scope of the new rules.
Ms Gaines said: "Children are more likely to get bitten than adults so we agree with the basis of this requirement, which can also kickstart a public debate around how we keep young children safe around all dogs."
She continued: "However, we're really disappointed that restricting this requirement solely to section 1 dogs further compounds the idea that some dogs are dangerous and others aren't purely because of how they look. Any dog whether a banned type or not has the potential to bite."
The charity advocates for reintroducing dog licences to promote responsible ownership. Official figures show dog attacks continue to climb, with 31,920 incidents recorded across England and Wales in 2024, representing a 2 per cent rise from the previous year.
