Number of dogs seized by West Midlands Police in past 10 months revealed - including XL Bullies and unexpected breeds

Data released by the force under the Freedom of Information Act shows it seized 449 XL Bully dogs between December 31 last year and October 7.

The animals were taken by police under the Dangerous Dogs Act after new Government rules came into force from December 31, 2023, which made it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales.

Of this total, 224 XL Bullies, or 49 per cent, had been euthanised as of October 7 after being signed over to West Midlands Police.

There were also 67 of the breed in police kennels, while 50 were at home on an interim exemption, all awaiting court hearings, up to this date.

A total of 29 dogs suspected of being XL Bullies were seized but were later concluded not to be of that breed.

The force has further revealed it seized 735 dogs that were of almost 40 different breeds between December 31, 2023, and October 7.

What dog breeds were seized?

• Akita

• American Bulldog

• Belgium Malinois

• Boxer

• Bull Terrier

• Bully XL

• Cane Corso

• Chihuahua

• Chow Chow

• Cockapoo

• Collie Cross

• Dachshund

• Dalmatian

• Doberman

• Dogo Argentino

• Dogue de Bordeaux

• English Bulldog

• French Bulldog

• German Shepherd

• German Shepherd Cross

• Great Dane

• Husky

• Jack Russell

• Labradoodle

• Labrador

• Mastiff

• Mixed Bull Breed

• Patterdale Terrier

• Pit Bull

• Pocket Bully

• Presa Canario

• Pug

• Rottweiler

• Rottweiler Cross

• Shar Pei

• Shih Tzu

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross

• Terrier

There have been a number of serious incidents involving XL Bullies and other breeds of dogs in the West Midlands over the past few years.

In September last year, Ian Price, aged 52, died after being attacked by two XL Bully dogs near his home in Stonnall, Staffordshire.

On August 21, 32-year-old Nicholas Glass died after suffering injuries consistent with a dog attack, with two of the animals being identified as XL Bullies.

In another incident involving dogs, 85-year-old Lucille Downer died as a result of injuries sustained in an attack in the back garden of her property in Boundary Avenue, Rowley Regis on April 2, 2022.

A seven-month-old baby girl meanwhile died in Coventry in June after being bitten on the head by a dog, which was not classed as a dangerous breed.

West Midlands Police has advised those who think someone has or is breeding banned dogs, or anyone who spots them loose, to report it on its website.

Breeds of dog which are illegal to own in the UK include the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro, while it is illegal to own an XL Bully in England and Wales.