What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

RE: What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:52:14 GMT

We have been working quite closely with Lancashire Police on this - they bring all the seized XL Bully type dogs to us, either for overnight hospitalisation to then go on and be typed by one of their team, or to be euthanased.

There definitely is a type, it is quite broad, but experienced officers are very good at determining almost from sight if the dog should be exempted or not.

50% are lovely, happy dogs and it is quite sad to put them to sleep, the other 50% are psychopaths. We had one lose the slip lead before the officer could pole it and had to just shut him in a room and feed laced doughnuts until it was calm enough to pole. Still walked out of the building.

RE: What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

cairncross — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:50:36 GMT

Legal responsibility does fall on owner

RE: What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

helen herinckx — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:34:35 GMT

I think there is an issue as there is now legislation in place which applies to XL Bully Type dogs. It’s not for the owner to decide: too easy for them to just deny and disregard their legal obligation which is designed to keep everyone else and their pets safe.

RE: What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

Lucy Fleming — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:55:40 GMT

My understanding is that areas of the practice where the public can feely go (ie the waiting area) should be treated as a public place and exempt dogs should be muzzled. Clinical areas (where there are things like "staff only" or no public access" signs) can be treated more as private property and exempt dogs don't need to be muzzled. Consult rooms fall in a sort of grey area as they are closed/ contained but generally no signs displayed to suggest private, so potentially better to keep the muzzle on except where required to be removed (to examine the mouth, for example).

I don't know if anyone really knows for certain, but it's what we were advised when we looked into it, and it seems sensible.

RE: What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

KMurphy — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:26:48 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/30913/what-do-we-do-when-owners-are-in-denial-they-have-an-xl-bully/244040#244040"]does that extend to practice waiting rooms?[/quote]

My house, my rules. It’s a private business so you can require that every dog that comes through the door is muzzled, if you wish.

RE: What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

Clive Ansell — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 19:15:19 GMT

It is not our problem, we are not a law enforcement agency.

It is entirely the responsibility of the owner to comply with the legislation, and to determine, or get determined, if their dog is an XL Bully type or not via the relevant authority.

We could report someone if we wanted too, or if we felt a particular dog was dangerous I suppose, but we are not obliged too.

[quote userid="11249" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/30913/what-do-we-do-when-owners-are-in-denial-they-have-an-xl-bully/244034#244034"]By right, I suppose if the dog falls into the correct 'type' in your professional opinion, then you are obligated to advise accordingly[/quote]

I have and I would, but I am not sure we are obliged too? again, responsibility rests with the owner.

[quote userid="11249" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/30913/what-do-we-do-when-owners-are-in-denial-they-have-an-xl-bully/244034#244034"]could insist on the animal being muzzled on your premises even if the owner disagrees on the breed / type.[/quote]

Not thought of it before, but with banned breeds that must be muzzled in public, does that extend to practice waiting rooms? it is an area where the public can go, yet is on private property, so how would it fall under the legislation?

RE: What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

ian bates — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:07:23 GMT

Hi miriam

My understanding is this is a 'type' not a breed per se, so he Government guidelines determine whether these are XLbullies that need registering. If by referring to these guidelines, you consider the dog to be of the correct stature etc then I would consider them as XLBullies. However, the potential conflict between you / the practice and these owners makes the situation really difficult.

By right, I suppose if the dog falls into the correct 'type' in your professional opinion, then you are obligated to advise accordingly - and could insist on the animal being muzzled on your premises even if the owner disagrees on the breed / type. (and record your advice / opinion in the clinical notes) At least then you might be covered should the dog attack another animal / person (you?) whilst on site. That might be as far as I'd go if there was an element of doubt - but if it's obvious, I think I would report - not sure I could live with myself if I did nothing and a child was attacked........

I suspect many of the more 'dodgy' XL owners will claim all sorts of breed combinations to avoid falling into the ban requirements. (and I realise not all XL owners are dodgy - just quite a few of them!)

Murky area and challenging to navigate I think.

RE: What do we do when owners are in denial they have an XL-bully?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:22:07 GMT

To be frank, I don't see an issue.