Sussex XL bullies for sale for as little as £250

The dogs, which can cost as much as £5,000, are being flogged for just hundreds of pounds after a plan to ban them at the end of the year was announced.

One person from Eastbourne was selling nine “American bully cross XL bully” puppies for £250 on selling site Pets4Homes.

The advert said they have been raised in a family home socialised around children and cats. It said they are “healthy and very loved”.

American bully cross XL bully puppies being sold online (Image: Pets4Homes)

Another person in Portslade, Brighton, made the “reluctant decision” to sell their “beloved” adult XL bully for £500.

It comes after a spate of incidents involving the breed including fatal attacks.

On October 3, a man was mauled to death by an XL bully near Sunderland.

And two men were taken to hospital in Middlesbrough after an attack by two dogs, including an XL bully.

In Sussex, two American XL bullies were seized by Sussex Police after a brutal attack on a cavapoo in Kemp Town, Brighton, in January.

Sussex Police gave the two dogs back to their owner.

Hugo the cavapoo in recovery in February (Image: The Argus)

In February, an eight-year-old boy was attacked in Burgess Hill by an American bully. He had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

The XL bully breed was linked to six of the ten fatal dog attacks in the UK in 2022.

Owners of a banned breed that is not believed to be a danger to the public can receive a certificate of exemption that allows them to keep the dog under strict conditions, such as making sure the animal is neutered, microchipped and always kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.

The RSPCA estimates it has 110 XL bully type dogs in its care across the country that would be affected by the ban.

Dogs Trust, which has a centre in Shoreham, confirmed it has seen an increase in the breed coming into its 22 rehoming centres across the UK and Ireland.

XL bullies will be banned at the end of the year

A spokeswoman said: “Since the Prime Minister announced a ban on American Bully XL type dogs, we have seen an increase in the number of calls regarding American Bully XL-type dogs.

“Many of these calls are from owners seeking clarity on what the ban means for them and their dogs. However, some are from people considering rehoming their dog in light of the recent ban announcement. We are urging American Bully XL owners who call us to stay calm and not panic.

“The government has confirmed there will be a transition period before the ban comes into effect, so we are doing all we can to support owners. We will be offering new services such as specialist muzzle training to support dogs affected by the ban to help owners comply with new restrictions.

“Until the government has issued further guidance, we are not currently re-homing any dogs that we think could be typed as XL Bully type dogs.”

The RSPCA said it is "steadfastly opposed to breed specific legislation and this forthcoming ban".

A spokeswoman said: “As we await news about a ban on the American XL Bully, not only does this situation remain devastating for many dogs, but is also taking a heavy toll on owners, on rescue centre staff who have grown close to dogs in their care, and to vets who face the prospect of being asked to put to sleep healthy dogs."

Animal sanctuary Raystede, near Lewes, said it had not had an influx of people trying to give up their XL bullies following news of the ban.