Almost a dozen suspected XL bullies were euthanised after being seized by Bedfordshire Police last year, new figures reveal.

The RSPCA said the Government should consider alternatives to legislation banning specific breeds, warning the approach ‘fails to reduce dog bites’.

A freedom of information request shows 496 of the 808 ‘banned and dangerous dogs’ seized by South Yorkshire Police in 2024 were suspected to be XL Bullies - 61 per cent. The force did not provide figures on the number of dogs that were euthanised.