The State is set to oppose an injunction application brought by six animal welfare organisations seeking to halt a new law restricting ownership of XL bully dogs which they say is too vague and disproportionate to impose a criminal liability on owners failing to comply.

A number of police forces across the UK have reported an increase in attacks by dogs since the XL Bully ban came into force. Police have spent more than £11 million kennelling banned dog breeds since the ban came into force in February as it can cost around £1,000 a month to keep an XL bully in kennels.

As the XL Bully ban marks its first year, the financial and logistical strain on police forces intensifies, with thousands of dogs seized and a staggering rise in costs, sparking a complex debate on public safety and resource allocation.

XL bully dogs were banned in the UK last year with a number of other illegal breeds also being seized in the process as police use their tools to try tackle rise in dangerous dogs

Since February, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.