Merseyside area 'seems to have a lot of XL bullies'

An XL bully dog
-Credit: (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)


Wirral reportedly has “a lot of XL bully breeds” with more than a dozen requests to deal with dangerous dogs over the last year. However Wirral Council said it was not the type of dog it was dealing with that is deemed dangerous.

During a discussion of action taken by the Council’s environmental health service, Councillor Tony Murphy raised concerns about 18 requests to deal with dangerous dogs and asked whether any of these cases were related to XL bullies. XL bullies were banned in England and Wales in February.

The type of dog has been linked to a number of attacks and are described as large dogs "with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power.” Owners of the dogs had to apply for exemptions and they must be housed securely as well as kept on a lead and muzzled in public.”

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In response, Deeta Cooper said: “There does seem to be a lot of XL bully breeds in this area. They have noticed that at the [Birkenhead] Kennels as well.

“We have an animal health welfare officer and stray dog officer that works in the team as well so she links in with the Friends of Birkenhead Kennels to provide the necessary advice and we do quite a lot of work with the RSPCA as well.”

She said they had to deal with other dangerous breeds, not just XL bullies. The figures from November 2023 to October 2024 were included in a report presented to the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure committee on November 28.

Questions were asked about the council’s investigations into noise complaints and the process following a recent cut to the amount of times Birkenhead Town Hall’s clock tower chimes. Cllr Ann Ainsworth said some issues had been complained about for years but felt the town hall issue was dealt with quickly.

Ms Cooper said they ask complainants to keep a log of noise to try and identify what time noise is taking place. This will be followed by noise monitoring and then look at working with those identified as the source of the noise but if issues aren't sorted, this could be followed by notices and then prosecution.

However she said her department hadn’t made the decision over the town hall as it was a council asset and other departments were behind the move. During the meeting, the committee also agreed to progress an agreement between the local authority and the Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake, applauding the work of volunteers to clean it up.