Animal behaviour experts have warned against prioritising aesthetics over health when it comes to purchasing ‘fashion’ felines like so-called ‘XL Bully Cats’.
You may already be aware, but since February, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in both England and Wales without an exemption certificate following numerous attacks over the UK.
The 2024 ruling, filed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, saw 61,000 exemption applications being submitted through the UK government’s portal before the deadline, as per BBC.
But you may be surprised to hear that the breeders have now created a cat counterpart to the prohibited canine, which has continued to raise the hackles of animal behaviour experts.
The Telegraph reports that these kitties have been reproduced by mixing the gene that causes hairlessness in the popular Sphynx breed along with the gene responsible for the short legs of Munchkin cats.
The RSPCA has also warned these ‘exaggerated’ bullycats, which feature ‘excess skin folds’, are vulnerable to adverse skin conditions and that they could suffer from intense joint strain, as per The Independent.
‘Bullycats’ are rising in popularity (Instagram/@bullbinos)
“Bullycats are likely to suffer similarly shortened lives to those reported from a recent RVC VetCompass paper in Sphynx cats that lived just 6.7 years compared to an average of 11.7 years in cats overall,” Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), said to Naturewatch Foundation.
“The advice to anyone thinking of acquiring a cat or a dog is to always put the welfare of the animal first and to stop and think before acquiring an animal with an extreme and unnatural body shape that does not exist commonly in nature.”
Dr Grace Carroll, who specialises in animal behaviour and welfare at Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Psychology, also stated that prospective pet owners need to be aware of the risks associated with this popular Munchkin-Sphynx breed.
The feline has the hairless gene from a Sphynx cat (Getty Stock Images)
“Consumers hold purchasing power,” she began. “We can discourage breeders from prioritising aesthetics over the health and welfare of the animals by refusing to buy breeds with extreme traits.
“A fashion toward ethical breeding could ensure future cats are healthier, happier and free to enjoy natural feline behaviour like climbing, jumping and lounging in the sun. We should let cats be cats.”
A 2018 study conducted into mutation breeding by Marjan van Hagen and Jeffrey de Gier, animal welfare and reproduction experts at Utrecht University in The Netherlands, found that it can put cats at a disadvantage in fights.
They also found that like the Sphynx, the cats lack whiskers, which most breeds rely on for communication, navigation and for gauging spatial dimensions, writes The Conversation.
They also have the short legs from Munchkin cats (Getty stock image)
The Cats Protection charity has added that the legs Munchkin cats boast are a ‘genetic defect’ which can lead to ‘painful arthritis and cause problems with their general mobility’.
“Bully cats, being both hairless and short-legged, may face twice the number of challenges encountered by sphynx and munchkin breeds.” echoed Dr Carroll.
Due to the rising popularity of the ‘bullycat’, the RSPCA has issued a statement urging ‘fellow cat lovers’ to adopt a feline in need, rather than buy the mutant breed.
“We understand that their emerging presence on social media may fuel a demand for these kinds of cats but we would urge fellow cat lovers to consider adopting the many rescue cats in our care instead of buying from a breeder,” a spokesperson told The Independent.
“We would also urge breeders to prioritise the health and welfare of any animal over the way they look.”
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@bullbinos/Getty Stock Images
Woman heartbroken after XL bully is attacked by cat on first walk following new law
Casey Wilson has hit back at the XL Bully rules after her dog was left bloodied by a cat
A frenzied fight left a dog with awful injuries and the owner has lashed out at a recent ban on the breed as the cause.
After her ‘cuddly’ XL bully pup was left bloodied and scratched up by a cat, Casey Wilson, 26, has hit out at the latest regulations which prohibits the breed from going out in public without safety precautions.
This comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared a ban on the breed which comes into full force on 1 February, due to several fatal attacks in the last few years.
With a requirement for the breed to be muzzled among many others, the 26-year-old believes that this was the reason that her large dog couldn’t defend itself while out on its first walk since the rules came into place.
It was New Year’s Day when Nova and Casey were walking when a crazed cat ran at them ‘like a monster’ and clawed at the scared dog.
Facebook/caseylee.wils
Sharing pictures of her dog’s injuries online, the owner explained how her pup was left ‘completely defenceless’ by her muzzle.
Casey ranted: “And they say XL bullies are the vicious ones!!”
She has previously shared her struggling to get her dog used to wearing a muzzle, posting pictures of the pup cowering in a corner after being fitted with a black muzzle for the first time.
Casey wrote on Facebook: “We finally got ourselves out.. only for her to be ATTACKED by a f****** CAT!!!
Facebook/caseylee.wils
“She was completely defenceless because she had a cage around her face, not that she would even do anything anyways!!
“And they say XL bullies are the vicious ones!!
“You can literally see where the feral thing had its claws on her nose through the muzzle!!!”
In another post, the pet owner was left exasperated and upset by the muzzle options, writing: “Oh it’s killing me. I honestly do not want her out with this awful thing on! It makes her look like some monster!! She’s so depressed.”
Facebook/caseylee.wils
Casey’s mum, Karen O’Brian, spoke to the Daily Mail about the regulations after witnessing her daughter ‘hysterical’ and Nova covered in blood.
She commented: “It just shows how cruel the law forcing XL bullies to wear muzzles is.”
Karen added that the dog is docile and friendly.
She explained: “Nova is just a bouncy, friendly, happy dog. She loves cuddles and she’s great with my grandchildren.
“It’s heartbreaking that her first experience of being walked on a lead and with a muzzle on has ended like this.
“If it had been the other way around and she had attacked a cat, you can guarantee people would be saying she needed to be put to sleep.
“But she’s such a soft thing, she wouldn’t have retaliated even if she hadn’t had a muzzle on.
“The law needs to target the owners who treat their dogs badly, it’s not fair to make all XL bullies wear muzzles in public.”
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/caseylee.wils
Topics: Animals, Facebook, News, Social Media, UK News, Dogs, Cats
Britt Jones
breaking
British man dies after being attacked by his own XL Bully dog at home
Police said they had ‘no alternative’ but to shoot and kill the dog
Lancashire Police have confirmed the death of a man after he was attacked in his home by his own XL Bully dog.
The man was 53-year-old David Daintree, the dog owner was found dead in his Accrington home on 20 August following calls to the emergency services of a dog attacking someone in their home.
Police confirmed that they were forced to destroy the dog.
A press release from Lancashire Police said: “As the dog was continuing to pose a significant threat of serious harm, we were left with no alternative but to discharge a police firearm to destroy it and prevent it from causing further injury to more people.
“Specially trained officers are supporting Mr Daintree’s family, and our thoughts are with them at this time.
“An investigation is ongoing.”
53-year-old David Daintree. (Lancashire Police)
Superintendent Marie Jackson, of East Police, said: “This is a tragic incident which has sadly resulted in a man losing his life and my thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.
“An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing and I would appeal to anyone with any information to get in touch.
“We will have extra officers out and about in the area carrying out enquiries and I would urge anyone with information or concerns to speak to them.”
Police said they were called to a home in Ashley Court, Accrington at around 9:30pm on Tuesday night by the ambulance service.
They said that the 53-year-old man was sadly deceased when they arrived, and they could confirm he was the owner of the property and the dog.
Anyone with information that could help the police in their enquiries has been asked to call 101, quoting log 1480 of 20th August 2024.
.jpg)
Police confirmed that they had to destroy the XL Bully. (Getty Stock Photo)
Strict rules on the ownership of XL Bully dogs were brought in late last year, it has since become illegal to sell, gift, exchange, breed or abandon the breed of dog.
In public places all XL Bullies must be muzzled and on a lead, though there are no such restrictions on doing so in private spaces such as homes.
All XL Bully dogs still in the country have to be registered, and it is a criminal offence to own one of the unregistered dogs.
The ban on XL Bully dogs was implemented after 23 people lost their lives to vicious dog attacks over a three year period.
Many of those attacks involved XL Bullies, and there were other attacks which caused serious harm but did not result in loss of life.
Featured Image Credit: Lancashire Police /Getty Stock Photo
Joe Harker
Police give warning to public as thousands of Brits miss XL bully ban deadline
An outright ban on XL bully dogs is now in place
Police have issued a warning to the public as it’s estimated thousands of Brits have missed the deadline for the XL bully ban.
From today (1 February), an outright ban on the breed is in place across England and Wales and it is now a punishable criminal offence to own an unregistered dog.
The deadline for owners to apply online for an exemption certificate for their XL bully expired at midday yesterday.
It was reported that over a whopping 30,000 XL bullies were registered.
However, the true number of the banned pooches in the UK is believed to be way higher.
RSPCA’s dog welfare expert, Dr Sam Gaines, told the BBC that veterinary professionals say there are about 40,000 to 50,000 XL bullies in reality – while others even put that as high as 100,000.
Dr Gaines said: “There are definitely going to be owners of XL bullies who will have not gone through the exemption process and obviously that is a concern.
“This is why we need to make sure resources are focused on individuals who are deliberately keeping dogs because they want to threaten people with them, frighten people and intimidate them.”
Getty stock image
So, with the ban now in force in England and Wales, the National Police Chief Council has warned the public to call 101 to report dogs being kept in breach of this law.
NPCC Dangerous Dogs Lead Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hobrough told The Independent: “There’s an obligation on everybody within society to stop a serious or fatal dog attack happening within their own community.
“We are encouraging people to pick up the phone if they have any concerns about a dog.”
Restrictions on XL bullies came into place on 31 December, making it illegal to sell, gift, exchange, breed or abandon the dogs.
Legal requirements of keeping them on a lead and muzzled while in public were also introduced.
Getty Stock Photo
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cracked down on the ownership of the XL bully dog breed after an increase in maulings which resulted in death – with 23 people tragically losing their lives due to vicious dog attacks in the last three years.
For owners to have been able to keep their pet from today onwards, they had to pay a fee of £92.40 to get a Certificate of Exemption, as well as their pet insured and neutered.
While this ban only covers England and Wales, it was previously confirmed that Scotland will follow suit, with restrictions being introduced from 23 February.
Featured Image Credit: Getty stock images
Jess Battison
Strict new rules for XL Bully dog owners as ban comes into effect today
New rules for XL Bully dog owners come into effect today to ensure the safety of the public
Today marks the beginning of new restrictions imposed on a specific UK dog breed and owners in a bid to prevent further attacks.
New legal restrictions on XL Bully dogs are now in full force and there is a list of requirements that all owners must adhere to if they want to continue to keep their pets safe and away from the risk of being taken.
Under the new guidelines imposed by the government, as of today (31 December), it is now illegal to sell, gift, exchange, breed or abandon these dogs.
Other legal requirements include keeping XL Bully dogs on a lead and muzzled when in public.
It was announced earlier this year that there would be a decision made to ban the breed following rising concern regarding the safety of keeping XL Bullys as pets after 23 people tragically lost their lives due to vicious dog attacks in the last three years.
Getty Stock Image
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cracked down on the ownership of the breed after an increase in mauling’s which resulted in death, with one man dying after being attacked by an XL Bully this year.
Now, owners have been urged to apply to register their current dogs, with only a month left to meet the deadline when the outright ban comes into force on 1 February, 2024.
After that date, owning an unregistered dog will be a punishable criminal offence, but the other option has caused an uproar.
A recent compensation offer of £250 to have an XL Bully put down at the vets left dog owners online in a rage as they couldn’t believe that they were being given money to destroy their pets.
However, following a series of attacks carried out by the breed, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay stated that the government had met a pledge to take ‘quick and decisive action’ and swiftly added the XL Bully to a list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Getty Stock Photo
To allow owners to keep their pets beyond the official ban in February, they will need to pay a fee of £92.40 to get a Certificate of Exemption, as well as their pet insured and neutered.
But the RSPCA has come out to warn that there could be a ‘huge risk’ to rescue centres that will be inundated with the breed and unable to cope.
Samantha Gaines, Acting Head of the Companion Animals Department at the RSPCA, told the Press Association: “What is really concerning is because the ban has come in at such a pace that there may be owners who are not ready for this, being able to ensure their dog is happy wearing a muzzle.
“There is some fear that people for whatever reason may have left it a bit late.”
She added: “Breed is not a good or reliable predictor of aggressive behaviour.”