Colchester Council rehomed XL bully dogs in last two months

From the start of February, owning an unregistered XL bully will be a criminal offence and could resort in the dog owner receiving a criminal record and fine.

The new rules came after a rise in attacks from the XL Bullies, where 23 individuals died as a result over the last three years.

Dog lover Saffron Davis, 26, of Porters Close, Colchester, says she has been an "emotional wreck" since the rules came into force.

Canines - a photo of Saffron with two of her dogs Zina and Yogi (Image: Saffron Davis)

Saffron, who is studying to become a certified dog trainer,  says she does not believe the ban will prevent attacks.

She said: "I’m not hopeful in all honesty the ban will prevent dog attacks because it’s just targeting one specific breed type, however, there needs to be stricter guidelines in place like all dogs should have to be on a lead.

"It’s going to cause a lot of strain on people's family life as well as their relationships with their dogs."

Saffron, who has a puppy named Nanna which is a mix between a Saint Bernard, Boxer, and Johnson American bulldog, previously organised a protest objecting the ban.

Saffron added: "It’s been a mixture of emotions, in the first couple of weeks I was an emotional wreck.

"I couldn’t eat for weeks, and now I’m frustrated because all of this could of been avoided, it’s the minority that have ruined things for the good owners."

Earlier this week the Gazette revealed how Colchester Council has rehomed seven XL bully dogs in the two months before new restrictions were introduced.

Back in October authority said it had made the decision to stop collecting the breed due to “health and safety concerns for officers”.

The council said workers were "not trained to handle such powerful dogs". 

Illegal - An XL Bully (Image: Jacob King/PA)

Colchester Council reinstated its stray dog collection service in November and between then and December 31 it collected seven XL bully strays.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “The council re-instated its full stray dog collection service in November 2023, equipping and training Animal Control officers to safely handle large breeds like XL Bullies.

“It allowed us to take in and successfully rehome seven XL Bully strays before the ban came into effect.

“While breeding and rehoming XL Bullies is now illegal, we continue to support the police in enforcing the ban and determining the future of any suspected strays.

“The specific restrictions, such as mandatory neutering, microchipping, and muzzling, align with our existing animal welfare initiatives.”