Two thirds of dogs seized by Dyfed-Powys Police this year have had to be put to sleep.

In figures released by Dyfed-Powys Police as part of a freedom of information request it found that two thirds of seized dogs had to be put down – half of which were the controversial XL Bully breed.

The figures which cover the last year reveal that of the 62 dogs seized by the force 41 had to be put to sleep.

A huge proportion of the dogs that were seized by the Police were the controversial XL Bully breed with 41 being seized – with over half (24) having to be put down.

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A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “From the February 1, 2024 officers from Dyfed Powys Dog Team have seized a number of XL Bully dogs whose owners have failed to register their dog or who have fallen foul of the current exemption laws. 

“This has resulted in a spike in the number of dogs seized and destroyed by the Force in 2024. 

“The decision to destroy a dog is not one made by the police, a file of evidence is presented to the Courts via the CPS and a destruction order is sought from the court. 

“However, in exceptional circumstances the DCC can make the decision to destroy a dog following the submission and review of a file of evidence. 

“However generally it is for the court to decide if a dog is to be destroyed or not.”

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The force have said that the numbers of dogs put down may be unusually high this year after the ban and that the numbers are expected to decline.

They added: “As the number of XL Bully dogs decreases in society due to the new legislation it is expected that there will be a decline in the number of dogs seized in the following years.  How that looks I am not able to comment upon.  

“In addition to the ban on XL Bully type dogs, any person who owns a dog that is Dangerously Out Of Control no matter the breed, can face a series of penalties that include euthanasia of the dog, disqualification from ownership of pets and imprisonment.”