Bewdley XL Bully owner says ban plan is 'unjust'

Jordan Rowles, from Bewdley, owns 11-month-old Kimber and previously fostered two other XL Bullies.

The 22-year-old, who has a two-year-old daughter, has called out the government's planned ban on the breed and other laws which he believes could put Kimber at risk of serious illness.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year in response to a series of attacks, but owners are not expected to face a cull of their pets.

11-month-old XL Bully Kimber (Image: Jordan Rowles)

Owners could face a requirement to neuter their dogs and muzzle them in public, the government’s chief vet has suggested.

Mr Rowles, who works at a bar, said: "I’ve spent my entire life around dogs, even being the victim of a dog attack myself at seven years old due to a mistreated collie.

"I will be required by law to prematurely neuter my boy, at around 14 months instead of at two years once he has finished growing, which in itself can cause problems for him; lower testosterone, hormone imbalances and future risk of developing serious illness.

"Muzzle training is also something we will need to look at starting moving forward so we can be prepared for the ban to take place, I know for a fact that he will not like it.

Mr Rowles has described Kimber as attentive (Image: Jordan Rowles)

He added: "My daughter and Kimber have the best relationship, he’s so attentive and always the first in her room if he hears she’s crying.

"He’s been taught nothing but kindness and it shows.

"The bad owners need to be cracked down on, the dogs aren’t given a choice how they are brought up, and even a worm will turn".

Campaign groups Bully Watch, the Campaign for Evidence Based Regulation of Dangerous Dogs (CEBRDD) and Protect Our Pets have claimed the XL bully breed is “a clear and present threat to public health”.