XL bully left covered in blood after being attacked by cat
Nova, a 10-month-old puppy, was on a walk in Blackburn when the incident took place.
Warning: Graphic image
The owner of an XL bully dog says she was horrified when a cat "dug its claws" into her pet's face, which she says was unable to get free due to new laws that mean it must wear a muzzle.
Nova, a 10-month-old puppy, was on a walk near her owner Casey Wilson’s home in Blackburn when the incident took place. It was the animal’s first day out wearing a mouth guard, in line with new regulations restricting the ownership of XL bully dogs.
Casey, 26, and her mum Karen Brian had struggled to get Nova used to wearing the muzzle but eventually persuaded her to put it on. However, when the cat launched its attack on Nova, the puppy was unable to defend itself. The dog, who is usually “cuddly and bouncy”, was left covered in blood following the encounter.
Karen, who lives in Whitebirk, said that Nova has since been withdrawn and reluctant to leave the house. "She's such a cuddly, bouncy little thing and it's such a shame for her. The cat just came racing over and dug its claws into her face. I was hysterical with the amount of blood. If it had been the other way round you can guarantee everyone would be calling for the dog to be put down.
"The cat just wouldn't let go. My daughter managed to get hold of it but it then dug into her. Eventually she managed to throw it off her."
"Nova loves going out for walks," Karen added. "She really didn't like wearing the muzzle but we know she has no choice. It's so sad that this was her first walk wearing the muzzle and she's had this experience."
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An XL bully is the largest type of American bully dog. Since December 31, 2023, it has been against the law to sell, give away, abandon or breed from an XL Bully. They must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public.
The RSPCA said the measures were “not the answer” and warned of a “huge risk” that rescue centres and vets will be unable to cope with a likely surge in demand.
Meanwhile, the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) warned of increased abandonment rates and said the new rules may lead to a “postcode lottery” for vets being able to help owners meet the terms.
New rules for XL bully dogs
Owning an XL bully from 1 February 2024 will be illegal unless the animal is on an exempt list, called the Index of Exempted Dogs. Those who want to keep their dogs will have until the end of January to register them with the list and will then be forced to comply with strict requirements.
This will include the requirement to muzzle them and keep them on a lead in public, but the dogs must also be microchipped and neutered. Owners seeking an exemption must also pay an application fee and hold active public liability insurance for their pets.
Dogs more than a year old on 31 January must be neutered by 30 June next year, while those under 12 months old must be neutered by 31 December 31 2024. Owners without a certificate of exemption will face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL bully as of 1 February, and their dog could be seized.
Owners who wish to keep their dogs must apply to an exemption scheme or they can choose to have their dog euthanised and apply for compensation. The government has offered £200 to XL Bully owners to go towards the cost of euthanising their animals.
What is an American XL bully dog?
The American bully is a relatively new dog breed from the US, with its first official breed registry, the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC), founded in 2004. As it is not registered as a recognised breed by the UK Kennel Club, it is unclear how many of the dogs or breeders are currently in the country.
The government has estimated there are about 10,000 American XL bullies in the UK while the Blue Cross animal charity has suggested it is more like 15,000. The breed comes in a variety of sizes, including pocket, standard and XL, the latter of which has become a cause of concern.
The government has published guidance to help identify XL bullies and describes them as large dogs "with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for its size".The animals are responsible for killing at least nine people, including three children, since 2001.
