OWNERS will face tougher restrictions to keep American XL Bullies once the ban comes in.
Ministers yesterday said criteria will be tightened so fewer of the aggressive canines are exempt.
While the breed will be banned by the end of the year, current owners can apply for dispensation under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
But Environment Secretary Therese Coffey told MPs that the existing exemption system has failed to crack down on horror breeds.
She said: “While the courts have the power to allow people to keep banned breeds with certain conditions, like being muzzled and neutered, the number of so-called exempted dogs is higher than a decade ago
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"That was not the intention of the legislation passed over 30 years ago.
Therefore, we will also review our guidance to enforcers of the law."
Downing Street stressed the need to “safely manage” the existing population of XL bullies with a transition period.
Officials are currently looking to define the dangerous breed that has caused a spate of recent attacks.
