The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) has launched steering for Northern Irish XL Bully homeowners.

On September 15, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced plans for the American Bully XL canine breed to be banned in England, Scotland and Wales by the tip of the 12 months.

The ban adopted a sequence of significant and, in some instances, deadly assaults.

This ban is not going to apply to Northern Eire.

USPCA Chief Exec Nora Smith mentioned: ‘We perceive the not too long ago introduced plans for the American Bully XL from the UK Prime Minister are worrying for homeowners – particularly as there are nonetheless many particulars unknown.

“So now we have pulled collectively our most requested questions concerning the proposed XL Bully ban.”

What is going to occur in Northern Eire?

•The Harmful Canines Act 1991 doesn’t apply to Northern Eire, apart from S.8 which makes provision for corresponding laws to be made right here.

•That corresponding laws is The Harmful Canines (Northern Eire) Order 1991 and is enforced by district councils.

•A ban on the XL Bully would require a separate change to laws in NI, both by a sitting Meeting and Govt or by means of an intervention by the NI Secretary of State.

What ought to I do if I personal an XL Bully?

Because the laws change is not going to apply to Northern Eire, there isn’t a requirement to do or make any adjustments.

The USPCA recommends that homeowners of American XL Bully canines ought to proceed caring for his or her pet as regular.

The USPCA additionally recommends that each one American XL Bully homeowners guarantee their canine is registered at a vet, microchipped and licensed, which is a authorized requirement.

The organisation has mentioned it encourages homeowners to follow accountable possession. This consists of offering your canine with applicable bodily train, in addition to utilizing reward-based methods.

A USPCA spokesperson outlined the organisation’s place on breed particular laws.

“Sadly, for the reason that Act was launched 32 years in the past, it has not been efficient in lowering canine bites and human deaths. Merely including extra breeds to the banned breed checklist, with out addressing different facets of this complicated multi-factorial situation, is not going to shield the general public.

“There is no strong analysis to reveal that these breeds or varieties are any extra aggressive than different canines.

“Aggressive behaviour could be influenced by elements reminiscent of how they’re bred, raised and experiences all through their lives. Breed isn’t a great way to foretell danger of aggression.

“The elements behind canine chunk incidents are complicated and multi-factorial. Reasonably than banning breeds, evidence-based, effectively thought out methods are required to forestall incidents from occurring and resulting in severe penalties, together with human loss of life.

“Preventive methods to cope with this severe situation ought to embody enforcement of current canine management laws, together with enforcement in opposition to unscrupulous breeders who put revenue earlier than welfare is required. We should look behind the canine to the actions of people.

“Demonising a specific breed of canine is not going to scale back the variety of canine assaults.”