Dumped XL bullies are risk to officers - council

XL bully dogs abandoned after owning them became illegal present a "real risk" to council officers, one authority says.

Since 1 February 2024, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.

Now, Birmingham City Council has said it was still dealing with the "repercussions" of the ban, as the dogs continue to be seized from the streets.

In a council report, it wrote that although the number of XL bully strays had reduced from 90 in 2023/24 to 30, almost all of the dogs had been abandoned.

"In most circumstances, due to health and safety concerns, they must be handled by two officers," the authority said.

"In September 2023, one of our officers was attacked by a pocket bully-type dog.

"She suffered significant injuries to her leg, which resulted in several hospital visits and two weeks off work."

The council's dog warden service responded to nearly 3,000 requests for help and advice regarding issues including stray and lost dogs and canine control issues, in 2024/25.

In total, 740 stray dogs were seized - 694 of them were impounded at kennels.

"Many of the dogs we deal with are the larger bull breeds," it added.

"If these dogs are not trained and socialised from a young age, they can sometimes become unmanageable and some owners abandon them."

The report will be considered by the licensing and public protection committee on 25 June.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.