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Emergency meeting to be held on XL bully ban
"...I thought it incredibly important that I trigger an urgent session to provide expert analysis needed to enact complex legislative change"- Dr Neil Hudson MP
It will discuss its implementation and related animal welfare issues.

An emergency meeting has been called to discuss incidents relating to American XL bully dogs, and the Government’s proposed ban of them.

The discussion will see the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee hear from various witnesses from veterinary, legal and animal welfare backgrounds to debate the implementation of the ban.

The meeting was triggered by Dr Neil Hudson MP, who will also chair the session, as part of his ongoing pet welfare and abuse inquiry that he began after the pandemic. Dr Hudson is currently the only veterinary surgeon that is elected to the House of Commons.

The meeting will feature two panels of experts which, although not confirmed, may include Dr Samantha Gaines (head of companion animals at RSPCA), Dr Paula Boyden (veterinary director at Dogs Trust) and the Rt Hon. the Lord Baker of Dorking CH, who was home secretary when the Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced.

The announcement that the American XL bully would be added to the list of banned dogs was made by Rishi Sunak on 15 September, in response to a fatal attack that is believed to have been committed by an XL bully. The move has since proven to be controversial amongst the veterinary industry.

The prime minister stated that the breed would first need to be defined by the Kennel Club, before becoming banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year.

Dr Neil Hudson MP said: "As a veterinary surgeon this issue is extremely close to my heart and I thought it incredibly important that I trigger an urgent session to provide expert analysis needed to enact complex legislative change.

“I will be chairing the Select Committee session on Wednesday morning and would highly encourage those interested to watch and [hear] from the range of leading voices in the fields of law, animal welfare and veterinary medicine."

The meeting will be available to watch live on Wednesday, 18 October at 9.30am on the Parliament Live website.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.