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Are XL Bullies 'evil Breed With Screw Loose' Or Victim Of Callous Breeders Who Wanted 'killing Machines'?

It's now illegal to own American XL bullies and bully mix-breeds without an exemption. But why are these dogs so dangerous, and why do some experts believe they are intrinsically wired to kill?

XL bullies are now banned in England and Wales (stock photo)(Shutterstock / BAUER Alexandre)

With dog attacks soaring by almost 50 per cent in the past five years, the American XL bully has become a figure of fear.

As previously reported by the Mirror in February, at least 23 people have been killed by dogs in the last three years alone, with American XL Bullies, or similar breeds, suspected to be involved in 12 of the vicious attacks. As of December 31, 2023, it's now considered a criminal offence to own the controversial breed in England and Wales unless they are registered and wear a muzzle while out in public.

Dog owners with an unregistered XL Bully could be looking at a six-month stretch in prison, while their animal could be seized and destroyed. Earlier this month, a grandmother Josephine Fitzpatrick's beloved XL bully became the first to be put down according to new legislation, after the unregistered dog was found hidden inside a locked room at her home in Waterloo, near Liverpool.

Meanwhile, this week the Mirror exclusively reported that an abandoned XL bully was destroyed after armed police were called to Liverpool's Croxteth Hall and Country Park. Here, the Mirror looks at why the widely-feared breed is considered to be so 'lethal'...

XL Bully dog is abandoned in park as armed police called by terrified onlookers

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said the American XL bully is a 'clear and lethal danger to our communities, particularly children'(UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty Imag)

What is an XL bully dog?

The XL bully was originally bred from the American pit bull terrier, with influence from other American and English bulldogs. It is said to have been created as a 'bigger and stronger' version of the pit bull and tends to weigh between 20 to 60kg and stand 33 to 50cm in height. The breed has a distinctively large and broad head with a muscular build.

The XL bully is not recognised by the main dog associations in the UK, though the UK Bully Kennel Club describes the breed as having a "gentle personality and loving nature". The canine organisation states that the XL bully is a recent breed dating back to the 1980s and has grown in popularity due to its "distinctive build and height combined with a compassionate nature".

How dangerous is an XL bully?

There is much debate around the genetic nature of the XL bully. While some dog trainers believe the breed is intrinsically wired to kill, other canine professionals disregard any dog breed being more aggressive than another. Major animal charities, including the RSPCA, Battersea, Dogs Trust, The Kennel Club and Blue Cross, believe animals should be judged on their "deed not breed" and are campaigning to end the breed-specific legislation (BSL), which prohibits the keeping of certain breeds - including the American pitbull - in the UK.

RSPCA dog welfare expert, Dr Sam Gaines, previously told the Mirror: "We're devastated by the number of fatal incidents involving dogs over recent months and believe it's a clear sign that the current dog control legislation in the UK is flawed, outdated and ineffective. What's really concerning are recent calls to expand the list of banned types. We need to acknowledge the scientific evidence in this area which has shown that breed is not a good predictor of risk."

On the other hand, Stan Rawlinson, who has been a dog trainer for 20 years, said XL bullies are "wrongly wired" in the head and "too dangerous" to live. "The XL bully is intrinsically bad as a breed. They're an evil dog because of what's been done to them over in America, where amateur geneticists have tinkered about. There's a screw loose," he told MailOnline.

Mr Rawlinson explained that breeders have been getting around the BSL by crossbreeding American pitbulls with Mastiffs and English bulldogs to create the "killer" XL bully. "They can just flip," he said. "You're talking nothing too full on and someone is dead in less than 15 seconds. You just can't stop them. These dogs can rip people's heads off."

Some canine trainers believe XL bullies are 'wrongly wired' to kill, while others dismiss dog breeds being genetically more aggressive (stock photo)(Shutterstock / pauli15c)

In January 2023, professional dog walker Natasha Johnston, 28, was killed by her own XL bully after suffering catastrophic injuries from "multiple penetrating dog bites". In May of the same year, dad-of-two Jonathan Hogg, 37, died after suffering bite wounds to his arm, leg, and head while looking after his friend's XL bully in Greater Manchester. Emma Whitfield, whose 10-year-old son Jack Lis was mauled to death in November 2021, previously told the Mirror the "current sentencing is not tough enough".

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However, bulldog and pitbull owners have spoken out to defend their beloved breeds. Anita Mehdi, from Middlesbrough, petitions to end the BSL after her pet Lola, who is an American bulldog crossed with a Staffordshire bull terrier, was almost euthanised after a member of the public reported her as vicious. Lola was assessed and deemed a "well-balanced, obedient and gentle dog that showed no signs of aggression", but now has to wear a muzzle at all times in public.

Sam Carroll* (*not his real name) owns an American XL bully called Champ and blames uneducated breeders for the string of recent fatal attacks. He told the Express: "He's full of love, he always wants to be around me, he's a genuinely lovely dog... Not everyone can handle this dog, and not everyone should. These people who are giving them a bad name are idiots." In his view, the breed is misunderstood and mistreated.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.Banim@reachplc.Com

Uber Eats driver bitten on the face by banned pit bull as he delivers McDonalds

HOW TO: Take Care Of Large And Extra Large Dog Breeds

Fulfilling the needs of your large and extra-large fur babies requires specific knowledge. Here are some essential care tips and common mistakes that should be avoided:WHAT TO DO?Proper exercise: Large dogs need open space and regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Dedicate at least two-three hours of outdoor playtime for your dog spread across the dayBalanced nutrition: It is a myth that the more animal protein your dog gets, the healthier it is. Too much meat may cause heart problems for your dog. Talk to a vet, do some research and ensure a diet tailored to their size and breedTraining and socialisation: Some large dogs are one-master breeds and may get aggressive towards others if proper socialisation and training is not doneAdequate space and comfort: Provide spacious living areas and comfortable bedding suitable for their size. If your dog sleeps on a bed too small for their size, they may develop joint pain, hip dysplasia or arthritisRegular veterinary check-ups: Large dogs are very vulnerable to heart diseases, dilated cardiomyopathy, wobbler syndrome, etc. Schedule routine check-ups to monitor their health and catch any issues early WHAT NOT TO DO?Overfeeding: No, overfeeding your dog will not make them healthier and stronger. It only leads to obesity and other health problemsNeglecting exercise: Lack of exercise can lead to depression, boredom and destructive behaviour in large dogs; they may also turn aggressiveIgnoring behavioural issues: Address any behavioural problems promptly to prevent them from escalating. It is extremely important to train large and XL dogs properly, starting from a young age.Inputs from Ayuush Khandelwal, veterinary intern and owner of a Mudhol Hound, and Prathamesh, owner of a Rottweiler

Seattle's Rental Market Is Pet-friendly, Except For Big Dogs

In a city awash in doggos (with two new dog parks coming), finding housing with your furry family members can be challenging—especially if they are large dogs.

KUOW put itself in the shoes of an average renter with pets—hardly a difficult feat in an office with a Slack channel dedicated to pets. We pulled data on pet-friendly rental listings from Zillow, and found that as the number of bedrooms goes up, so do the restrictions on large dogs.

This counterintuitive factoid comes down to Seattle's limited housing stock. The majority of 3+ bedroom rental listings on Zillow are houses or townhomes, which are less likely to allow large dogs (22%) than apartments and condos (34%). There are also fewer 3+ bedroom rental options than any other category on Zillow.

Note: This data represents a snapshot in time (April 18 and April 21) on Zillow, a housing search site. It may not reflect all available listings and cannot account for errors in listing descriptions. The data available does not categorize breed restrictions.

Over the past 12 months, 75% of Zillow rental listings noted "pets allowed"—but that number doesn't differentiate between cats, small dogs, and large dogs. It also doesn't take into account breed restrictions or number of pets.

From KUOW's snapshot search, we can see that nearly 70% of listings are pet-friendly—in step with the yearly average—but only 39% are listed as "allows large dogs." This is a known concern to pet owners of large dogs and specific breeds.

The website My Pitbull is Family allows renters to self-report breed and size restrictions. Its database lists six apartment complexes in Seattle with no breed restrictions, and only five with no breed or weight restrictions. (Note: This is incomplete, self-reported data.)

If you're a family looking for 3+ bedrooms with a large dog, you have the fewest options available—with only 27% of bigger home listings stating that large dogs are allowed. One reason families cite for returning pets to shelters is housing insecurity. Melissa Mixon, a Seattle Animal Shelter spokesperson, said she has heard similar anecdotes from residents returning pets to Seattle's overwhelmed animal shelters.

Of course, finding housing is just the first step. Many pet-friendly rental properties come with pet deposits, rents, and fees.

Seattle has some protections in place for pet owners who rent. City law limits pet deposits to one per household—rather than per individual pet—and caps pet deposits at 25% of the first full month's rent. The city has also banned non-refundable pet fees. These provisions provide some protection, but in Seattle's hot rental market that still means a family with rent of $2,000 could be charged a pet deposit of $500.

While pet fees are banned, pet rent is not. The City of Seattle does not currently track pet rent, so it is difficult to know what Seattleites are paying on average for pet rent.

Local organizations are helping pet owners keep furry family members with them. Seattle Humane provides support to pet owners experiencing housing insecurity and funds to cover pet deposits and rents (along with veterinary bills).

From the looks of it, Seattle's housing market might best be described as small pet-friendly.

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