The RSPCA said the Government should consider alternatives to legislation banning specific breeds, warning the approach ‘fails to reduce dog bites’.

Almost a dozen suspected XL bullies were euthanised after being seized by Bedfordshire Police last year, new figures reveal.

A freedom of information request shows 496 of the 808 ‘banned and dangerous dogs’ seized by South Yorkshire Police in 2024 were suspected to be XL Bullies - 61 per cent. The force did not provide figures on the number of dogs that were euthanised.