The recent ban on XL Bullies has led to growing concerns among authorities about the rise of another breed, the Cane Corso, as incidents of dog attacks attributed to them increase dramatically.
More than one year after the XL Bullies were banned from the UK, Cane Corsos are reportedly stepping up to fill the void left by their muscular counterparts. South Yorkshire Police are experiencing unprecedented demand on their services due to serious incidents involving these powerful dogs. According to Chief Inspector Emma Cheney, who oversees dangerous dog incidents for the force, there is apprehension as the XL Bully ban progresses.
"My concern is... owners will move toward other large, powerful, bull breeds," Cheney noted. She expressed specific alarm over the number of attacks involving Cane Corsos. The force, she pointed out, oversaw grave attacks, one causing life-changing injuries to a teenager within their home. Just this month, the attack left the victim with horrific injuries and added to the increasing distress surrounding Cane Corsos.
The Cane Corso, hailing from Italy, is renowned for its strength. Weighing up to 50kg, they possess bite force capabilities measured at 700 psi—stronger than even lions, which have been measured at approximately 600 psi. This breed has traditionally served as guardians and can be traced back to Roman times as descendants of Molossian war dogs.
Unfortunately, there are currently no restrictions on owning Cane Corsos within the UK, and they are becoming associated with the “status dog” trend among certain owners. High-profile cases, such as the incident involving former Love Island winner Jack Fincham, highlight the risks tied to these dogs. Fincham was sentenced to six weeks of prison after his Cane Corso, named Elvis, bit a runner.
Further incidents include young individuals who have suffered serious injuries due to Cane Corso attacks. Last October, the breed was responsible for sending a ten-year-old girl to the hospital after she was attacked on Maukinfauld Road in Glasgow. Earlier, another incident reported involves the same breed dragging its victim out of their vehicle, resulting in severe injuries.
The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) had opposed the XL Bully ban, arguing the move wouldn't effectively mitigate dangers posed by various breeds. The SSPCA has been vocal about the ineffectiveness of legislation targeting specific breeds when public safety is at stake. They fear restrictions solely based on appearance may not address the issue of reckless ownership, leaving dangerous dogs to fall under the radar.
There are no current plans from the Scottish Government to enact restrictions on Cane Corsos; instead, they maintain existing frameworks for managing dangerous dogs. A government spokesperson insisted on the importance of responsible dog ownership across all breeds, highlighting the necessity for local authorities to utilize available laws to safeguard communities.
The SSPCA reiterated the need for comprehensive approaches to handle dangerous dog incidents. They declared, "We know any breed of dog can be potentially out of control and dangerous in the wrong hands.” The charity strongly supports measures to protect the public but warns against merely vilifying breeds based solely on their physical characteristics.
They advocate for additional transparency and enforcement of existing legislation, calling for stricter penalties for owners of dogs involved in incidents similar to those arising from Cane Corsos. The charity is urging the authorities to punish irresponsible dog ownership with serious repercussions.
While law enforcement figures strive to tackle the issue proactively, the dialogue surrounding dog ownership and aggressive breeds takes center stage. The community is learning lessons from the past and trying to balance safety and responsible ownership of even the most powerful breeds like the Cane Corso.