A ban on XL Bully dogs comes into force tomorrow, meaning it will be illegal to keep one unless the owner has a certificate of exemption.

A number of police forces across the UK have reported an increase in attacks by dogs since the XL Bully ban came into force. Police have spent more than £11 million kennelling banned dog breeds since the ban came into force in February as it can cost around £1,000 a month to keep an XL bully in kennels.

As the XL Bully ban marks its first year, the financial and logistical strain on police forces intensifies, with thousands of dogs seized and a staggering rise in costs, sparking a complex debate on public safety and resource allocation.

Figures obtained by The Independent showed dog attacks rose by nine per cent in the first five months since the ban was brought in on XL bully dogs

XL bully dogs were banned in the UK last year with a number of other illegal breeds also being seized in the process as police use their tools to try tackle rise in dangerous dogs

Since February, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.