A dog behavioural specialist has issued a stark warning as the popularity of a “dangerous” breed soars in the UK, which could be more menacing than the infamous XL bully breed.
Even though there are strict regulations surrounding the ownership of XL bullies in the UK, an alarming spike in interest has been seen with regards to the Cane Corso, an Italian mastiff type.
Believed to be descendants of ancient Rome’s Molossian war dogs, the increasing presence of this breed in the UK is raising alarm among dog behaviour experts, who are worried it may pose a significant threat to the public.
Rob Alleyne, from the Canine Instructor Academy in Suffolk, was unequivocal in his assessment of the breed: “The Cane Corso is like an XL bully on steroids. It’s a killing machine and they’ve become much more popular now.”
Alleyne, speaking to the Times, highlighted how restrictions might be counterproductive: “[The ban] has just pushed people towards an even worse dog that doesn’t need to be registered and God help us if they become too popular,”, reports the Express.
Having noticed a rise in the number of these dogs at his facility, the canine behaviour expert sees it as “history repeating itself”.
He elaborated: “We saw it happen with the Pit Bull Terrier. When they banned the Pit Bull Terrier, what did we get? We got a dog far more dangerous than the Pit Bull Terrier. They just made a new one worse than the preceding one: the XL bully.”
Mr Alleyne’s cautionary advice follows an incident where a woman in her thirties needed plastic surgery after trying to separate her XL bully and Cane Corso from fighting at home, as reported by the Independent in October.
At present, there are 220 Cane Corso puppies listed for sale on the Pets4Homes website, with prices varying between £380 and £2,000.
The expert noted that the population of Cane Corsos has reportedly been increasing due to the restrictions imposed on XL bullies.
Since February last year, it has been unlawful to own an XL bully in the UK without an exemption certificate.
This allows owners to keep their dogs under the condition that they are securely housed, and kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.