A teenager who keeps a young XL Bully has defended her 'gentle' dog and believes that recent regulations have not come under enough scrutiny.

The 16-year-old college student, Kylie Isles, of Fairacres Road in Didcot, is owner of an almost five-month-old XL Bully dog, Kallie, who she believes "could have a chance to be a really good dog".

It was announced in September that American XL Bully dogs would be banned in the UK in response to increased reports of injuries and deaths caused by the animal.

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Owning an XL Bully will be illegal from January 31, 2024 unless the dog is registered on the Index of Exempted dogs and compliant with requirements, which include wearing a muzzle outside and being neutered.

Ms Iles said: "We loved her when we first saw her and thought that she could really have a chance to be a good dog.

"Some more recent attitudes have triggered a few people because not all these dogs are bad.

thisisoxfordshire: Kallie the XL Bully (left) and Ellie, an XL Bully cross (right)Kallie the XL Bully (left) and Ellie, an XL Bully cross (right) (Image: Kylie Iles)

"They are all being treated the same."

The teenager added that she comes from a "dog-raising" household, with her family rescuing many of the animals from houses where they had been abused and that her brother also owns an XL Bully—eight-month-old Ellie.

"I think we have a strong hold on Kallie's behaviour even though there are many times she has been pushed to her patience with children."

Ms Isles suggested she did not disagree with rules around leashes, muzzles and neutering but that she was concerned about wider general attitudes towards the breed since the legislation had been so "readily accepted".

This included attitudes, which she said based on her own experience, had now sometimes even disallowed owners from keeping their pet in a rented home.

"Everyone somewhat agreed with the rules but now because everyone was so ok with it they are not questioning more recent decisions.

"It is a kind of discrimination—these are our animals, they are our dogs.

thisisoxfordshire: The government announced its XL Bully ban in September.The government announced its XL Bully ban in September. (Image: Kylie Iles)

"Not many people know they have a voice.

"We should all get an opinion."

The dog-lover said she had written to her local MP, David Johnston, to express her concerns on the matter.

"It's not only sad for Kallie but I think it's caused a lot of similar feelings in people who also have really gentle dogs," Ms Isles concluded.

Figures indicate at least 23 people in the UK have been killed by dogs in the last three years and American XL Bullies, or similar breeds, were suspected to be involved in twelve of the attacks.

The American Bully Kennel Club defines the American XL bully as a crossbreed of the American pit bull terrier, olde English bulldogge, English bulldog and the American bulldog.