Owners of large American bullies oppose the ban, as they say that attacks are primarily reduced by education and training.
Erja Tuomaala,
Take Bear
American Bully XL dogs will be banned in Britain by the end of the year.
The breed has previously been banned in Norway, Denmark and Turkey, among others.
In Britain, the project to ban the breed gained new momentum after dogs apparently belonging to the American Bully XL breed attacked a man in the Midlands region of Walsall on Thursday.
The victim of the attack died of his injuries in hospital. The owner of the dogs has been arrested on suspicion of murder. One dog died during capture and the other was euthanized at the vet.
The matter was reported by numerous British media, among others the BBC.
Fatal rage before
The large American bully has been linked to at least three deaths in recent years.
A 65-year-old woman died in April after going to separate fighting dogs from each other.
Last year, an American bully killed a child, and in 2021, a 10-year-old boy died from injuries he received from a dog bite. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced after Thursday’s attack that purebred dogs would be banned by the turn of the year.
Breeding determines the behavior of the dog
A lively discussion has arisen in kennel circles about the nature and behavior of American Bully XL dogs.
The Guardian writes, that banning breeds judged to be more dangerous than others is not a solution, as their owners are responsible for raising dogs and their well-being. Researcher of veterinary medicine and pet behavior disorders, professor interviewed in the story David Mills reminds us that some of the golden retrievers were aggressive as puppies twenty years ago.
Dog breeders also suggest increasing information about breed characteristics and their suitability for those considering purchasing a dog.
This year, pit bull dogs have been involved in at least 351 attacks in Britain. In recent years, deaths have also been caused by Rottweiler, husky and Cane Corso mastiff attacks.
In Finland, the breed is not found in the pedigree dog register
Amerikanbully xl is not a breed approved by the FCI of the International Kennel Union, so the breed is not found in the Finnish Kennel Club’s breed dog register, says the Kennel Club’s communications manager Liisa Suoninen.
According to Suoninen, similar dog breeds that are vague in origin and unpredictable in behavior typically do not belong to Finnish dog culture.
– In order to prevent dog attacks and irresponsible dog ownership, the Kennel Association and its member associations strive to guide dog owners through education and training so that the right dog ends up with the right kind of owner, and the dog is taught the basics of everyday life. However, it is difficult for us to monitor the dog hobby outside of our supply.
There are a few breeders of the breed in Finland.
could not reach the Food Agency to comment on whether the American Bully XL dogs in Finland have been registered in the dog registry they maintain.
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