Litters of XL bullies – a notoriously dangerous dog breed – have been born in Jersey over the past year, the States Vet has revealed.
Susana Ramos was speaking to a panel of politicians reviewing planned changes to the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961, which could change the standards for dog owners and owners of dangerous dogs.
Planned restrictions
The proposed law would require Islanders who own dangerous dogs to register their pet and comply with restrictions.
They would have to muzzle the animal in public, and breeding and selling them would be banned.
“These dogs have the ability to cause bigger harm because of the way they are bred and because of their physiology, strength and ability to bite,” Ms Ramos said.
But XL bullies aren’t a recognised breed, she said, which creates “another difficulty”, and they are instead defined by a description.
The law, Ms Ramos said, was “the best approach we can do at the moment”.
“You shouldn’t have to wait for a fatality”
A petition opposing the proposed restrictions on XL bully-type dogs has gathered 591 signatures, arguing that there hadn’t been any fatal incidents in Jersey.
But Ms Ramos said: “You shouldn’t have to wait for a fatality to act.”
Mr Jackson said a document had been circulated, and Ms Ramos said she had “engaged” with XL bully owners in the island when restrictions in the UK were first introduced.
She said she had written to advise that they follow the same restrictions in the UK over a year ago.
“Since then, there actually have been litters born in Jersey, so advising the owners hasn’t seemed to work.”
This was a reason to “go stronger” by introducing stricter legislation, she added.
The new laws are due to be debated by the States Assembly in November.