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  "path": "/news/children-under-12-banned-left-alone-with-dangerous-dogs-xl-bully",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-09T21:44:23.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Dog bite deaths surge more than 200 per cent in a year despite XL Bully ban",
    "'Violent monster' 7st XL bully mauls three girls in horrific home attack as mother spared jail",
    "Pensioner, 84, killed after XL bully attack named as family pay tribute to 'grandad missed by all'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nLegislation introduced to Parliament today will prohibit leaving children younger than 12 unsupervised with XL bullies and other dangerous dogs across England and Wales.\n\nThose who breach the new rules face financial penalties and could have their animals confiscated by authorities.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe measures extend current restrictions that apply to owners of exempt dogs from banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.\n\nSince February 2024, possessing an XL bully without an exemption certificate has constituted a criminal offence.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe new requirements are scheduled to take effect from November 1, strengthening protections for young people around breeds classified as dangerous.\n\nThe legislation follows a series of fatal incidents involving the breed. Last year, a 10-year-old girl died after being attacked by her family's XL bully.\n\nA nine-month-old infant also died in a separate mauling by the same type of dog during the same period.\n\nXL bullies are an American pitbull-type breed known for their considerable strength, with some animals reaching weights of up to 60kg.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe breed has been linked to numerous attacks in recent years.\n\nExisting laws already prohibit selling, breeding, abandoning or giving away XL bullies, while owners must keep them muzzled and on leads in public spaces.\n\nAnimal welfare minister Sue Hayman stated: \"No child should ever be left alone with a dangerous dog.\n\n\"These rules are about putting safety of children first.\"\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Dog bite deaths surge more than 200 per cent in a year despite XL Bully ban\n  * 'Violent monster' 7st XL bully mauls three girls in horrific home attack as mother spared jail\n  * Pensioner, 84, killed after XL bully attack named as family pay tribute to 'grandad missed by all'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWelfare specialists advise that youngsters should never be left unattended with any canine, regardless of breed.\n\nResearch indicates that children face a greater risk of being bitten compared to adults.\n\nDr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA's dog welfare expert and lead on dog control, said: \"Our advice to all parents with dogs is to never leave kids and dogs alone, unsupervised.\"\n\nShe added: \"The bond between dogs and children can be absolutely wonderful, but it's important to remember that pets and young kids communicate very differently and, no matter how well we think we know our dogs, there are sometimes instances when they bite.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe RSPCA, which opposed the XL bully ban and does not support breed-specific legislation, expressed disappointment with the narrow scope of the new rules.\n\nMs Gaines said: \"Children are more likely to get bitten than adults so we agree with the basis of this requirement, which can also kickstart a public debate around how we keep young children safe around all dogs.\"\n\nShe continued: \"However, we're really disappointed that restricting this requirement solely to section 1 dogs further compounds the idea that some dogs are dangerous and others aren't purely because of how they look. Any dog whether a banned type or not has the potential to bite.\"\n\nThe charity advocates for reintroducing dog licences to promote responsible ownership. Official figures show dog attacks continue to climb, with 31,920 incidents recorded across England and Wales in 2024, representing a 2 per cent rise from the previous year.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Children under 12 to be banned from being left alone with dangerous dogs in latest clampdown"
}