Animal campaigner urges Manx government not to ban the Bully

DEFA says it's aware of the breed being added to list of banned dogs in England and Wales

An animal psychologist believes the Isle of Man 'doesn't need to go in with all guns blaring' with its decision on what to do with XL Bully's here.

The breed will be added to the list of banned dogs in England and Wales.

It means it will be illegal to own one, without an exemption, from 1 February 2024; from January the dogs will also have to be on a lead in public and be muzzled. 

The UK Government's move - which includes making it against the law to sell, abandon, breed from or give away an American Bully XL, follows a number of attacks which involved the breed. 

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has told Manx Radio it's assessing how to proceed here.

"Don't ban them, don't cause people to dump their dogs with the MSPCA or me.

Let them be licenced." - Anita Williams

Anita Williams is the founder of Animals in Distress which rehomes animals in need and helps pet owners who are struggling financially.  

She told Manx Radio she's not dealt with any aggressive XL Bully dogs on the Island - adding 95 percent of the time canines are dangerous because of their owners.

She believes owners should be issued with a licence from government instead of having their dogs to be euthanised:

Mrs Williams also told Manx Radio XL Bully rescue centres in the UK are 'bursting at the seams' with the breed and she's even had to rehome two Bullys from the UK here. 

You can hear more from her in this episode of Manx Radio's Newscast.