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Opinion: Unjust Mass Dog Killings: England & Wales Ban XL Bully [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-11-26
England and Wales have confirmed that American XL bully dogs will be included in the list of prohibited breeds starting from December 31, 2023.
Animal experts are saying that it is not reasonable to solely attribute the blame to a specific breed of dog. They posit that enforcing such rules would be extremely challenging, especially considering that the XL Bully is a mixed breed.
Unconfirmed accounts attribute the XL Bullies as the cause of a notable percentage of the United Kingdom’s few dozen fatalities resulting from dog attacks since 2021.
Scientists previously conducted comparisons between the conduct of dogs that are forbidden and dogs that are allowed. In one particular study, behavior assessments were carried out on 61 shelter dogs, with 21 of them being identified as “pit bulls.” The pit bull breeds did not display any additional aggression towards food or handling when compared to the non-pit dogs, although the bully-type dogs were more prone to being easily stimulated.
In another study, the behavior of prohibited dogs was contrasted with that of Golden Retrievers, which are widely regarded as the archetypal family pet. However, no statistically significant distinction was observed in terms of aggressive behavior.
During the past year, a group of scientists examined a comprehensive database of dog genetics to explore whether there is a connection between breed and behavior. They discovered only a meager correlation, with environment and upbringing appearing to have more influential roles than breed.
In the United Kingdom, there is currently no legislation mandating the use of leashes for dogs in every public area. It should be evident that the government should make an effort to modify this legislation before engaging in discriminatory practices solely aimed at a specific breed.
Animal welfare organizations, RSPCA and Blue Cross informed Sky News that a minimum of 246 XL Bully dogs will be executed once the prohibition on this particular breed takes effect by the end of this year.
At one animal shelter alone, workers told the BBC that they are “killing up to eight [XL Bully] dogs a day.”
Owners of canines that fit the United Kingdom’s criteria for an American bully XL must have the dog executed by January 31, 2024. They will be eligible to claim £200 or $252 in compensation for the killing of their pet.
The BBC also reported that rescue centers will be unable to find new homes for XL bullies in their care after December 31, resulting in their systematic execution to free up space.
Fortunately, there exists an opportunity to retain possession of the canine; nonetheless, those desiring to do so are required to have them implanted with a microchip, insured, sterilized, and equipped with a muzzle when outside. They must also pay a fee of around $100.
Journalist Sue Williams told the BBC that this ban means “thousands of healthy dogs will be destroyed for nothing more than the way they look.”
This prohibition is expected to be ineffective, leading to mental distress for both pet owners and shelter workers, and ultimately causing the unnecessary death of countless healthy dogs of various ages.
Surprisingly, many states in the United States have come to the realization that it is unjust, cruel, and illogical to forbid certain breeds of dogs.
The following 17 states have enacted laws that prevent their local governments from implementing breed-specific legislation: Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, Nevada, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Utah, and South Dakota. In California, most breed-specific laws are prohibited, although there is an exception for breed-specific spay/neuter measures.
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