XL Bully Law beset by delays, warns leading legal expert

Solicitor Justine Dexter is a legal expert on XL Bullies and specialises in cases involving the breed, which were banned under new rules rolled out 12 months ago in the wake of a spate of deaths.

But Ms Dexter, Senior associate solicitor at law firm Smith Partnership, said that one year on from its introduction, huge problems exist in the system.

Her comments come in the wake of a new warning from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) saying that the breed was placing a "huge burden on policing".

The NPCC said veterinary bills and the cost of kennelling were expected "to rise to as much as £25m" for the period between the introduction of the ban in February 2024 and April 2025.

Ms Dexter said: “This news from the NPCC will come as no surprise to anyone who works within this area or who has contact with agencies that do.

“As a criminal practitioner acting on behalf of owners who have had their dog seized and are awaiting a decision on prosecution or even a court case to resolve the issue, the delays can be tortuous and the cost such as kennel fees can be exorbitant.”

Ms Dexter continued: “It is clear that police forces are under huge pressure to enforce the law, which many consider to be a badly drafted piece of legislation, with limited resources.

“Funding is clearly a key factor. This in turn impacts owners of these dogs, victims in these cases and the welfare of the dogs themselves.”

Last year, Ms Dexter expressed concerns about the strain on police resources this law could cause, working on countless cases over the past 12 months.

Costing around £25-£35 per day to kennel a single XL bully, these costs amount to around £1000 a month per dog, according to the NPCC.

Since the ban was implemented last year, 848 dogs have been euthanised (between February and September 2024), which equates to a cost of approximately £340,000 in taxpayers’ fees.

The process of seizing an XL bully is a lengthy one, with court cases not being scheduled until mid-2026. With kennels already under strain, the demand will only become more severe.

Ms Dexter added: “From my own experience, everyone is trying to work out the best outcomes and deliver justice without being given the resources and tools to do so. Sadly, a common cry from practitioners in the Criminal Justice System.”

The issues within the system mean that getting legal support in this area is even more important.

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