There will not be a cull of American bully XLs, the UK’s chief veterinary officer has said, after Rishi Sunak announced the dogs will be banned.
Christine Middlemiss said instead there will be an “amnesty”, where owners will have to register their dogs and take actions including a muzzle in public.
The prime minister announced the ban on Friday after the death of a man following a suspected attack.
Many have welcomed the move but others say a breed-specific ban will not work.
A 52-year-old man, named as Ian Price, died after suffering multiple injuries in an attack by two suspected American bully XLs near Walsall on Thursday.
A 30-year-old man arrested in connection with his death has been released on conditional bail, police said.
Prof Middlemiss told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There will be an amnesty. So people that already have these dogs – and some of them will be well socialised, well managed, well trained – you will need to register and take certain actions.
“Your dog will need to be neutered. It will need to be muzzled when out in public and on a lead and insured.
“But if you comply with these actions, and that means we’ll know where these dogs are, which will be a massive benefit, then yes, absolutely you will be able to keep your dog.”
Mr Sunak said on Friday that the dogs were “a danger to our communities” and would be banned by the end of the year. (BBC)