Faye Winter from Love Island speaks out against XL Bully ban, says she has lost work and wants to save innocent dogs from being labeled as evil.

Faye Winter said she has received ‘hate and lost work’ over her speaking out about the ban on American XL Bully dogs.

The Love Island star, 28, shared a video of her meeting with an XL Bully called Nala and shared a lengthy caption saying the breed had been misjudged.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the ban after a spate of violent attacks which left many people injured or dead.

The new legislation comes in on December 31 and will make it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, rehome, abandon or allow XL bully dogs to stray in England and Wales.

Faye declared ‘the UK wants to generalise [the breed] as evil’ and that she was willing to endure the negative backlash to save ‘innocent lives’.

Faye Winter said she has received ‘hate and lost work’ over her speaking out about the ban on American XL Bully dogs

The Love Island star, 28, shared a video of her meeting with an XL Bully called Nala and shared a lengthy caption saying the breed had been misjudged

She added that she felt sympathetic for victims of dog attacks but she couldn’t ‘sit back and watch’ while the ban was enforced.

She penned: ‘NALA – firstly what an honour to meet such an incredible, kind soul that the UK wants to generalise as evil. It was a pleasure to be in your company from the moment I saw you to the moment I left. 

‘I’m not here to take away from anyone that has been the subject of a dog attack, I’m sorry you’ve had to endure pain and heartbreak, I’m also not here saying that there is no evil in people that own this breed. 

‘All I know is that most of these dogs are just like Nala preparing to have their innocent lives ended on the 31st of December because they are in rehoming centres and I can’t sit back and watch. 

‘Through speaking on this subject I’ve endured hate and lost work but if I can save one dog’s life I know it will be for something. 

‘All you see in the media is one small horrendous snippet and I can see why people are fearful, I’m just wanting to show you another side the true side for most of this breed. You all gave us a platform and I’ll be dammed if I’m not using it.

‘NALA is based at @rspcalittlevalleyexeter they are looking through applications and are hopeful they will find her the perfect home however due to legislation, Nala will have to go through exception based on her physical characteristics.

‘I can’t say how much this breaks my heart but I know she will have the most amazing life with someone that respects and adores her because she is the most amazing girl.’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the ban after a spate of violent attacks which left many people injured or dead 

The new legislation comes in on December 31 and will make it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, rehome, abandon or allow XL bully dogs to stray in England and Wales 

Faye declared ‘the UK wants to generalise [the breed] as evil’ and that she was willing to endure the negative backlash to save ‘innocent lives’

She added that she felt sympathetic for victims of dog attacks but she couldn’t ‘sit back and watch’ while the ban was enforced

In addition to rules coming in at the end of the year, it will also be illegal to own an American bully XL in England and Wales from February 1, 2024.

Owners can apply to have their pets exempt from the crackdown – which means they would have to pay £92.40 for a certificate and the dog would need to be microchipped and neutered, as well as muzzled and kept on a lead in public.

Owners without a certificate of exemption will face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully as of February 1. 

The second option would be to have their dogs put down, with the Government offering £200 in compensation to these owners.

Now, owners are in a panic and abandoning their pets, or begging vets to change official records to say ‘Staffies’ because they’re worried their dogs will be put down.

Despite rescuers being able to apply for exemptions to keep the breed, the dog would be forced to live its life out in a kennel, which charities say they would never choose for welfare reasons.

Owners of the breed have staged protests against the ban, including a march through London in September.

Last month, dozens of XL Bully owners held a mass meet up with 62 of their dogs in Calludon Castle with owners strictly prohibited from bringing ‘aggressive dogs’ or ‘dogs in season.’

In addition to rules coming in at the end of the year, it will also be illegal to own an American bully XL in England and Wales from February 1, 2024 

Owners of the breed have staged protests against the ban. Dozens of XL Bully owners held a mass meet up with 62 of their dogs in Calludon Castle last month (pictured)

Tom Hardy has also criticized the ban as ‘extreme’ and said that the focus should be on having ‘responsible owners’.

The Hollywood actor, 46, shared several snaps of his dog Cass last month, writing that she was ‘an XL Bully type’ and ‘a deeply kind and loving sensitive puppy and companion.’

He took to his Instagram Stories and wrote: ‘In light of tragic cases recently I am deeply concerned by the rise in the number of dog attacks. 

‘We must ensure that dogs do not pose a risk to people, and that measures in place to protect the public are effective. 

‘But a blanket ban on Bullies is extreme and avoids blame where it lies at the detriment to many pets that pose no threat whatsoever. We can do better.

‘My dog Cass was an XL Bully and she was great. I support Bully’s not being banned – but they do need responsible owners. Practical support for responsible Bully owners.’

Experts had previously warned that the new XL bully ban won’t work because of the vague definitions outlined in the law will make it hard for to root out banned animals.

Dog behaviour expert Stan Rawlinson told MailOnline it is ‘impossible to track’ XL Bully dogs because they are not an official breed. 

Tom Hardy has also criticized the ban as ‘extreme’ and said that the focus should be on having ‘responsible owners’

The Hollywood actor, 46, shared several snaps of his dog Cass last month, writing that she was ‘an XL Bully type’ and ‘a deeply kind and loving sensitive puppy and companion’

Ian Price, from Stonnall in Staffordshire, was pronounced dead by medics despite efforts to treat him in an air ambulance after he was attacked by a suspected XL Bully

The ban will not apply in Scotland after ministers turned down a request from the UK government to comply.

As a result, there have also been fears of the country becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for dogs.

Additionally, the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) fears the rules may lead to a ‘postcode lottery’ on vets being able to help owners meet the terms and could lead to more XL Bully dogs being abandoned across the UK.

The charity said: ‘We fear that these factors will result in a postcode lottery on helping owners euthanise or neuter their bully XLs, and could increase abandonment rates for owners that have nowhere else to turn.’

There have been numerous reports of XL Bully attacks in the last year, including a 10-year-old boy being mauled in Blackburn as well as a campaigner for the breed describing the horrific injuries an XL Bully inflicted on him.

Two XL Bully dogs recently launched an attack on a rail platform, another dog attacked a security guard while in another video an XL Bully charged at police officers. 

The XL bully joins a list of other banned dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act, including the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro and Dogo Argentino. 

Injuries and deaths after attacks by XL Bully type dogs

Jonathan Halstead, 35

Jonathan Halstead, 35 – January 29, 2020

Jonathan died after a severe neck injury and bites after being attacked in his home in Oldham, Greater Manchester by his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bronson.

It is believed the dog attacked him when its owner suffered an epileptic fit.

 

Jack Lis, 10

Jack Lis, 10 – November 8, 2021

Schoolboy Jack Lis, 10, suffered catastrophic injuries in the mauling by an American XL Bully dog called Beast while visiting a friend’s home in Penyrheol in Caerphilly, Wales on November 8, 2021.

Neighbours and Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics desperately tried to save him but he died at the scene. Armed police destroyed the dog on site.

 

Adam Watts, 55

Adam Watts, 55 – December 22, 2021 

Adam Watts, 55, was attacked at the Juniper Kennels and Cattery in Kirkton of Auchterhouse, near Dundee, and was pronounced dead at the scene on December 22, 2021. 

 

MARCH 21, 2022: Undated family handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Bella-Rae Birch

Bella-Rae Birch, 17 months – March 21, 2022

Toddler Bella-Rae Birch was attacked by her family’s pet American Bully XL dog when she was just 17 months old.

The vicious dog snatched the child out of her mother’s arms while they were at their home in Blackbrook, St Helens, Merseyside, on March 21 last year.

 

Keven Jones, 62

Keven Jones, 62 – May 28, 2022

Keven Jones died after he was attacked by an American Bully XL dog in Wrexham, Wales on May 28 last year.

Ambulance workers attempted to save him but they were unable to stop his left leg from bleeding.

Mr Jones was then pronounced dead at his son’s house following the attack. 

 

Joanne Robinson, 43

Joanne Robinson, 43 – July 15, 2022

Mother-of-two Joanne Robinson, 43, was killed by her American Bully XL dog, Rocco, after it ‘turned mad in the extreme heat’ in July last year.

She died at the scene of the attack at home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire while her partner, Jamie Stead, was left with injuries to his hands, stomach and face as he tried to pull the animal off her.

Joanne’s mother Dot, of Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire, revealed at the time that Rocco had previously fought with their other dog Lola – and she had warned her daughter to ‘get rid of one of them’.

 

Ian ‘Wiggy’ Symes, 34

Ian Symes, 34 – August 2022 

Ian ‘Wiggy’ Symes, 34, who is understood to have been walking a Bully XL dog himself at a recreation ground in Fareham, Hampshire, died at the scene following a horrific dog attack in August 2022.

His devastated family said he was out dog walking and ‘doing something he loved’ when he died at the field in Fareham, Hampshire.

 

Ann Dunn, 65

Ann Dunn, 65 – October 3, 2022

Ann Dunn, 65, was found collapsed with ‘catastrophic injuries’ at her Liverpool home she shared with seven dogs on October 3 last year.

She was mauled to death by dogs including an American Bully XL – and had been sent to hospital a year before her death because she had been bitten by a dog. 

 

Shirley Patrick, 83

Shirley Patrick, 83 – December 3, 2022

Widowed grandmother Shirley Patrick, 83, died after being viciously mauled by an XL Bully in her own home.

The retired nurse died in hospital 17 days after suffering ‘life-threatening injuries’ during the ‘hellish’ and ‘violent’ dog attack in Caerphilly, South Wales on December 3 last year.

 

Jonathan Hogg, 37

Jonathan Hogg, 37 – May 18, 2023

Jonathan Hogg, 37, was mauled to death by an American XL Bully dog after it turned on him while he was looking after it for a friend.

He entered the dogs’ pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg and head, an inquest heard.

He was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries after the mauling in Leigh, Greater Manchester, on May 18 this year.

 

Ian Price, 52

Ian Price, 52 – September 14, 2023

On Thursday, September 14, ‘pillar of the community’ Ian Price, 52, was attacked and killed by two ‘devil’ XL Bully dogs after they jumped out of his neighbour’s window in Stonnall, Staffordshire.

Mr Price, from Stonnall, Staffordshire, was attacked and killed by the two dogs which jumped out of a neighbour’s window yards from a primary school. He reportedly died defending his elderly mother from the animals.

The dogs bit him and ripped the clothes from his body leaving him dying in a pool of blood in his boxer shorts in the horror attack just feet from his home.

 

Ian Langley, 54

Ian Langley, 54 – October 3, 2023

Ian Langley, 54, was set upon on the estate in Sunderland on October 3 this year by an enormous XL Bully dog which grabbed him by the neck as he bent down to pick up his Patterdale terrier pup.

The attack left Mr Langley needing CPR for around 15 minutes as emergency services fought to staunch heavy bleeding from his wounds. However he tragically succumbed to his injuries. His dog survived.