The government has announced a ban on American XL Bully dogs in England and Wales that will come into force on 31 December 2023. This is in response to increased reports of injuries and deaths caused by dogs, which have been linked in some cases to XL Bully dogs. The government previously said that it did not intend to repeal or amend breed-specific dangerous dog legislation, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and was waiting for the views of its Responsible Dog Ownership working group. Following the announcement, the government convened an expert group to agree a confirmation standard for XL Bully dogs, to define the characteristics of the breed. It has since published guidance for dog owners on how to prepare for the ban, including neutering and registering dogs for exemption, and an official definition of an XL Bully dog. Owners will be responsible for determining whether their dogs will be covered by the ban. Stakeholders have expressed concerns about the use of breed-specific legislation to address the reports of increased dog attacks. They have called instead for a full review of the legislation covering dogs and a focus on responsible dog ownership.