Inside the packed kennel housing UK’s most violent XL bully ‘horror’ dogs

30 Mar 2026 • 6:39 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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An XL bully kennel housing some of the UK’s most “dangerously out of control” dogs has told of one bursting through its metal cage in a bid to escape.

BBC Panorama visited one of the private specialist kennels which houses XL bullies since the ban on the breed in the UK was introduced in 2024.

One of the metal cages now stands empty, after a dog attempted to break free. “It shows you the destruction they can do,” said the kennel owner, who chose to remain anonymous.

“I dread the phone ringing,” he added. “Because the bites do increase during the holiday period and half-term and it's just horrendous.”

XL bullies are banned in the UK due to a string of “concerning” attacks and it is illegal to own one without a certificate of exemption.

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