About 75% of veterinarians in Britain opposed the euthanasia of healthy American Bully XL dogs. After the adoption of the new law prohibiting the keeping of these animals, the number of requests to veterinary clinics for euthanasia of this breed increased. Often, owners do not understand whether their pet falls under the new restrictions.
A new law will come into effect on February 1, 2024. According to it, owners of American Bully XL dogs are required to register their pets. They can only be walked on leashes, and kept at home exclusively on a lead. Continuing to keep the animal is permitted only if it is neutered and does not exhibit aggression. Aggressive dogs of this breed are subject to euthanasia. Authorities promise to compensate owners £200 for euthanizing their pets.
Veterinarians believe that the proposed financial compensation creates a 'disposal scheme' for these animals, which in turn increases the number of healthy dogs being euthanized. In a survey conducted by the British portal Vet Times, 60% of veterinarians stated that they would refuse euthanasia to owners if the animal has no behavioral problems. This opinion is shared by 85% of veterinary nurses.
David Martin, head of the animal protection group at IVC Evidensia, supported the veterinarians, noting that they should have the right to choose — to euthanize healthy dogs or to refuse owners in this regard.
It should be noted that at the end of October, reports emerged of mass euthanasia of American Bullies. Owners were concerned about the impending ban on keeping dogs of this breed. The law was passed after a tragic incident where an American Bully attacked a person in Staffordshire. Authorities mandated all owners to register their dogs, and breed standards were developed to determine the belonging of each similar dog. Walking representatives of this breed was allowed only on a lead, and those that exhibited aggression were proposed to be euthanized. Breeding these animals in kennels was also prohibited. As a result, owners began to approach veterinarians en masse with requests to euthanize their healthy pets, explaining this by the desire to get rid of them before the law comes into effect. People feared that after the law was enacted, landlords might evict them from their apartments along with their dangerous pets.
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