Number of South Yorkshire XL Bully attacks since ban revealed - along with number of dogs destroyed
New police figures obtained by The Star reveal the number of XL Bully attacks that have taken place in South Yorkshire since the ban came in last year.
The ban on XL Bullies came in on February 1, 2024, and followed a violent attack on an 11-year-old schoolgirl in Birmingham.
It means it is now a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales, for anyone who does not have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
Anyone who does have such a certificate is required to adhere to a set of strict conditions, including the muzzling of XL Bully dogs in public, along with keeping them on a lead in public places.
Following a Freedom of Information Act request, South Yorkshire Police has now provided The Star with figures relating to the ban, running from the day it came into force on February 1, 2024, through to October 1, 2025.
During that 20-month period - spanning a total of 87 weeks - South Yorkshire Police has recorded a total of 84 attacks involving XL Bullies.
That equates to the equivalent of an XL Bully attack taking place in the county almost every week.
The number of XL Bullies which have been destroyed during the same period have also been revealed.
A total of 362 of the animals have been put down. That equates to the equivalent of four XL Bullies being killed every week since the ban came in.
For comparison, The Star also requested information on the number of dogs of other breeds which have been destroyed during the same 20-month period.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed that a total of 488 dogs of all breeds - with the exception of XL Bullies - were destroyed during the same period. It means the equivalent of five or six dogs in that category were put down every single week.
Responding to questions around the figures, and the effectiveness of the XL Bully ban, Inspector Steve Usher said: “Across South Yorkshire, we continue to see people injured or living in fear due to dangerous dogs, with on average five calls received every day.
“Last year’s changes in legislation, making it illegal to sell, breed, or own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate, were welcomed as part of our commitment to building safer communities.
“South Yorkshire has had a higher proportion of XL Bullys, and while we recognise that any breed of dog can cause harm, it must be acknowledged that certain breeds and sizes carry a greater potential risk.
“Responsible dog ownership is not a choice — it is a necessity. We are grateful for the steps taken every day by dog owners, parents, and members of the public to keep one another safe.
“Although this preventative work cannot be measured, we believe it has saved lives.”