Behind locked gates and high metal fencing, the noise is relentless as workers are greeted with a wall of barking from seized or abandoned dogs following the XL bully ban
Rows of metal cages, constant barking and no empty spaces, this is the reality inside some of Britain’s specialist dog kennels that seized XL bullies are being taken to.
Facilities used to house dangerous, seized and abandoned dogs are now operating at full capacity, with staff warning the situation has worsened significantly since the introduction of restrictions on XL bully dogs in 2024. At one privately run site, around 120 dogs are being held at any one time, with teams frequently called to assist police following attacks on people.
From dogs that have been graded “dangerously out of control” to a heartbreaking rise in abandoned pets as the cost of living crisis bites, those on the frontline admit they “dread the phone ringing” as the number of attacks rises.
Officials are now warning that the crisis will likely get worse as younger dogs reach maturity, with workers already struggling to balance public safety with the needs of the animals held within.
Across multiple locations operated by the same company, that figure rises to more than 500 – the majority linked to the banned breed. Staff say there is rarely any respite. “We’re always full,” one manager told the BBC. “There isn’t a time when kennels are empty anymore.”
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They added: “I dread the phone ringing, because the bites do increase during the holiday period and half-term and it’s just horrendous.”
The increase in dogs being seized or handed over has put mounting pressure on police and kennel providers. Forces across England and Wales rely on private facilities to house animals they cannot accommodate themselves, particularly in cases where dogs are linked to criminal investigations or have been involved in attacks.
According to policing leads, the number of dangerous dogs being held in kennels has risen sharply in recent years, driving up costs and limiting available space. Holding animals for extended periods – sometimes months – while legal proceedings are ongoing further reduces capacity. Staff working in the kennels say the type of dog being housed has also shifted.
Previously, many animals were considered low risk. Now, a far greater proportion are classified as highly aggressive or dangerous. Last week, a court heard how John McColl, 84, died after being attacked by an XL bully, called Toretto, which was shot 10 times by armed police officers who were called to the scene in Warrington, Cheshire, in February last year.
Giving evidence at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, owner Sean Garner said he took every step he possibly could to make sure the dog was safe. He claimed the dog was locked inside a shed on the patio outside his home on Bardsley Avenue, which had a gate he said was secured by a latch and a chain, when Mr McColl wandered up the driveway at about 6pm on February 24.
Garner disagreed that the dog was hungry, despite an examination finding there was no dog food in its stomach. He said: “Someone’s come into his property who he doesn’t know. It’s natural behaviour of a dog.”
Each dog is assessed and given a grading based on behaviour and history, with records noting previous attacks or incidents. Signs attached to cages detail the level of risk, with some dogs described as “dangerously out of control” or capable of causing severe injury.
In some cases, animals have injured neighbours or members of the public. Others have been seized after owners breached legal restrictions. The kennels themselves are secure and closely monitored, but the environment can be stressful for the animals.
Many dogs display signs of anxiety or agitation, including pacing, barking continuously or reacting aggressively to movement. Some enclosures are partially covered to reduce stimulation, particularly for dogs that are highly reactive.
Staff say managing behaviour is an ongoing challenge, especially given the number of animals being housed. Kennel teams are often called out to assist police following serious dog attacks.
These incidents can involve significant injuries, and in some cases are fatal. Workers say certain periods, such as school holidays, tend to see an increase in attacks, placing additional strain on already stretched resources.
In one recent 48-hour period, teams across the UK were called to dozens of incidents, many involving XL bully-type dogs.
Alongside seized animals, kennels are also dealing with a rise in abandoned dogs. Some owners have given up their pets following the introduction of stricter rules, which include requirements such as registration, insurance, muzzling and neutering.
Others fail to comply, resulting in dogs being removed. Figures from animal welfare organisations indicate a significant increase in the number of XL bully dogs being abandoned since the ban came into force.
For some dogs, the outcome is uncertain. Animals linked to criminal cases must remain in kennels until legal proceedings are concluded. Depending on the result, they may be returned to their owners or destroyed.
Abandoned dogs face an even shorter timeline. By law, they can only be held for a limited period before a decision is made. In cases involving banned breeds, rehoming is not permitted, leaving euthanasia as the only option if they are not claimed.
Staff say these decisions are among the most difficult aspects of the job. Police have warned that dog attacks may continue to rise in the short term, particularly as younger dogs reach maturity.
At the same time, questions remain about whether current legislation goes far enough to address the issue. Some campaigners have called for stricter controls on ownership, arguing that focusing solely on specific breeds does not tackle the root of the problem.
For now, kennels remain under sustained pressure. With demand increasing, limited space and complex legal processes, staff say the system is struggling to keep up.
Behind the secure fencing, hundreds of dogs remain housed in close quarters – many for extended periods – as authorities attempt to balance public safety with animal welfare. And with no immediate reduction in numbers expected, those working in the sector warn the challenges are far from over.
In February 2024, a woman was mauled to death by her son-in-laws XL bullies. Ashley Warren left the frail 68-year-old, Esther Martin, to look after the pack of 10 powerful dogs. 5ft 3ins Esther suffered “dozens and dozens” of bite wounds, which led to a catastrophic bleed, just two days after the dogs were banned in England and Wales.
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