‘I dread the phone ringing’: Inside the kennels responding to vicious XL bully attacks

The cacophony of barks echoes through the high-fenced enclosures, monitored by surveillance cameras. Here, seized or abandoned dogs—often dangerous or banned breeds—are temporarily housed. Panorama recently gained exclusive access to one of these facilities, part of a network of seven operated by the same company, which collectively hold over 500 XL bullies. The kennels, managed by an individual referred to as Mark, are a hub for animals confiscated by police, including those linked to organized crime. Mark’s team is often called to urgent scenes, where the aftermath of attacks reveals the severity of the crisis.

Since the UK’s XL bully bans took effect in 2024, the number of dog attacks has surged. Official records show a consistent rise in incidents since 2018, with at least six fatalities attributed to XL bully attacks in the year following the legislation. Mark describes the situation as “like a horror movie,” citing the increasing frequency of severe injuries, especially during school holidays and breaks. “I hate school holidays. I hate the half-term. I hate Christmas,” he says. “I dread the phone ringing, because the bites do increase during the holiday period and half-term and it’s just horrendous.”

“The legislation doesn’t work. My daughter wouldn’t be dead now if it did work,” says Marie Smith, mother of Morgan Dorsett, who was killed by an XL bully at 19. The family advocates for stricter laws, including owner accountability measures similar to firearm certification checks.

Mark’s facility, one of seven nationwide, is always at capacity. Among 120 dogs in the cages, most are now XL bullies—compared to 90% green-rated before the ban. Signs on each kennel classify the dogs: green for least aggressive, black for most volatile. One black-rated dog, for example, had bitten a neighbor and breached its exemption. Another carried a “bite score five, potentially fatal” label. The week prior, a dog escaped its enclosure, highlighting the challenges of containment.

Under the 2024 law, XL bully owners in England and Wales must register their pets and agree to lifelong restrictions, such as muzzling, insurance, and neutering. The alternative is £200 compensation for the dog’s destruction. If neither option is chosen, the animal is seized. The same rules apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland, though enforcement details vary. In the two days after Panorama’s visit, Mark reported 39 separate attacks, with 17 involving XL bullies and nine people suffering life-altering injuries.

As Mark leads us through the cages, he emphasizes the urgency of the situation. “People need to understand what is happening in society,” he says. “They need to see the reality behind the headlines.” The kennels serve as a critical response to the escalating threat posed by XL bullies, now the most aggressive dogs in the system. With the ban in place, the breed’s dominance in attacks has only grown, demanding continued vigilance from staff and authorities alike.