Episode Details

Britain’s love affair with dogs has collided with a sudden turn toward prohibition. After a series of high-profile attacks, the government moved quickly to ban the Bully XL breed, turning a little-known pandemic-era pet into a national political issue almost overnight. In this episode, we explore why the data on dangerous dogs remains contested, how an already-criticized Dangerous Dogs Act became the tool of choice, and why campaigners and animal charities argue the problem lies with owners rather than breeds. As a social media campaign helped propel a niche concern into sweeping legislation, the story asks what this episode reveals about risk, emotion, and how rapidly policy can harden in response to public fear.

https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/09/15/a-fight-over-dangerous-dogs-in-britain