XL bully dogs must be muzzled and on a lead in public as new rules come in

Published

2 years ago

December 31, 2023

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XL bully dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled when out in public – as new rules take effect from today.

Selling, breeding, abandoning or giving them away is also now illegal.

People have until 31 January to apply for an exemption certificate to keep their dog – and must have it neutered, microchipped and insured.

Owners in England and Wales who don’t get an exemption by then will have to euthanise their dog or face a possible criminal record and fine.

Thousands of people already been granted an exemption, the government told Sky News earlier this month.

The new rules come after a series of attacks in which people have died or been injured by the dogs.

In September, the prime minister declared XL bullies a “danger to communities” after a man died in a suspected attack in Staffordshire.

However, rescue centres recently warned at least 246 dogs faced being put down if they couldn’t be rehomed by the end of 2023.

Despite being able to apply for an exemption, the dog would have to live its life in a kennel, which charities say they would never choose for welfare reasons.

Samantha Gaines, from the RSPCA, said some owners might not be ready for the new rules as they had been brought in quickly.

“There is some fear that people for whatever reason may have left it a bit late and about what that means,” she said.

Ms Gaines also said it was important to use existing laws to tackle “root causes” of aggressive dogs, such as those who exploit and irresponsibly breed them.

XL bullies were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act on 31 October, giving owners two months to prepare for the restrictions.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said the government had taken “quick and decisive action to protect the public”.

He said his department would “continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups” as the restrictions come in.

UK

Police appeal after man charged with murdering two women and raping third

Published

21 mins ago

November 24, 2025

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Police appeal after man charged with murdering two women and raping third

Police have appealed for information after a man was charged with murdering two women and raping a third.

Simon Levy has been charged with murdering 53-year-old Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo who died on the Aylesbury Estate, south-east London, on 17 March, the Metropolitan Police said.

In September, Levy, of Beaufoy Road, Tottenham, north London, was charged with murdering 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins who was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August.

He is also accused of grievous bodily harm with intent, non-fatal strangulation and two counts of rape against a third woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Haringey, north London, on 21 January, police said.

The 40-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with Ms Valencia-Trujillo’s murder.

He is also due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday for a plea and trial preparation hearing for the murder of Ms Wilkins.

Detectives believe there may be individuals who have information relevant to this investigation – or who are yet to report incidents which have directly impacted them – and are asking for people to come forward.

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UK

Family of woman killed 56 years ago, in a case of mistaken identity, believe her remains are buried in a garden

Published

21 mins ago

November 24, 2025

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Family of woman killed 56 years ago, in a case of mistaken identity, believe her remains are buried in a garden

The family of murder victim Muriel McKay believe her remains are buried in a garden in east London, the High Court has heard.

Ms McKay was officially declared dead by a High Court judge earlier this month, 56 years after being kidnapped.

The 55-year-old was taken from her London home by Nizamodeen and his brother Arthur Hosein in December 1969.

They mistook her for Anna, the wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Ms McKay’s husband was newspaper executive Alick McKay, the deputy to newspaper mogul Rupert Murdoch.

The kidnappers realised their mistake, but still demanded a £1m ransom for her safe return.

The two Hosein brothers were convicted and jailed for life in one of the first murder trials without a body. Arthur Hosein died in prison.

On Monday, barristers for two of Ms McKay’s children, Ian McKay and Dianne Levinson, asked a judge to order that the homeowners of two neighbouring properties on Bethnal Green Road allow the family to conduct a “ground-penetrating radar survey” of a shared back garden.

One of the homeowners, Madeleine Higson, opposes the injunction bid, which would also stop her from disturbing the garden.

Mr Justice Richard Smith said he will hand down his judgment at 2pm on Tuesday, stating the case involved “not uncomplicated legal sensitivities”.

Speaking following the hearing, Ms McKay’s grandson Mark Dyer said the bid to discover her remains was “important to the whole family”.

He said: “We do not want to be felt sorry for, we just actually want to get on and … scan the place, check for my grandmother.

“We’ve been told she’s there, most probably there, so we need to pick her up.

“She would like to come home for Christmas this year and what is left of her is purely some remains, some bones.

“They should find a place where the family can go and visit, where whoever’s interested in what happened to her should go and visit, and that’s the right thing to do.”

UK

UK to launch new ‘national day’ to remember victims and survivors of terrorism

Published

21 mins ago

November 24, 2025

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UK to launch new 'national day' to remember victims and survivors of terrorism

A new “national day” to honour victims and survivors of terrorism will be added to the calendar from next year, it has been revealed.

The annual commemoration will fall on 21 August, and will be marked in a different place each year to recognise the widespread impact of terrorism around the country.

It comes after a 12-week public consultation showed 91% supported the plan for a national day, and 84% strongly supported the proposal.

How the day will look, including a final name and symbol, will be worked out collaboratively between survivors and ministers, according to the Home Office.

But it will “honour and remember victims and survivors of terrorism”, encouraging survivors to access specialist support, spotlighting their stories, and educating the public.

A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed that it would not be a bank holiday.

Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was killed in the IRA Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, said victims of terrorism would no longer be “a footnote of history”.

She said: “What we remember as a nation matters. It sends a signal about what we value.

“For too long, survivors of terror attacks, and those who have been killed in them, have been a footnote of history. Survivors have felt ignored and forgotten.

“That’s why Survivors Against Terror launched a campaign for a new national day of memorial three years ago.”

Travis Frain, who survived the Westminster Bridge attack in 2017, also backed the campaign.

He said: “A national day would provide an opportunity to remember those we have lost, to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who have survived these heinous acts, and for us to look forward to the future to educate the next generation.”

The date was chosen to coincide with the UN International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.

Plans have also been announced for a new support hub to help victims in the aftermath of terror attacks.