XL Bullys will be added to a list of banned dogs under the Dangerous Dog Act from the end of this year, the Government has confirmed.

The ban comes after a spate of deadly attacks involving the breed since the beginning of the year.

From 31 December, it will be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales.

The breed must also be kept on a lead and muzzled in public from this same date.

From 1, February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own one unless owners have successfully applied for it to be exempt.

Rishi Sunak declared the breed a "danger to communities" following the death of a man in a "suspected" attack by two of the dogs in Stonnall, Staffordshire.