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Morgan Dorsett: Fatal XL Bully Attack Raises Fresh Questions About Britain’s Dog Laws
The death of 19-year-old Morgan Dorsett has once again brought Britain’s controversial XL Bully laws into the spotlight after she was fatally attacked by an XL Bully belonging to her cousin.
Morgan was attacked by the dog, named Prince, inside a flat in Withywood, Bristol, on 26 February 2025. Despite emergency services being called, Morgan suffered catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the dog involved was an XL Bully.
Her cousin, Kelcie Reed, 24, admitted being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog causing injury resulting in death. She was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 4 September 2026.
The circumstances surrounding the attack have also raised questions about what happened immediately beforehand. The court heard evidence concerning Morgan’s behaviour before the dog attacked. However, whatever the circumstances leading up to the incident, responsibility for controlling a dog rests with its owner or person in charge of it.
Are XL Bullies banned in the UK?
Yes — but the law is more complicated than simply saying every XL Bully has been banned and removed from Britain.
In England and Wales, XL Bully dogs are a prohibited type under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Since 1 February 2024, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without a valid Certificate of Exemption. Owners who legally retained an exempted dog must comply with strict conditions, including keeping the dog muzzled and on a lead in public.
It has also been illegal to breed, sell, advertise, give away, abandon or allow an XL Bully to stray.
This means that an XL Bully can still legally be living with its owner in 2026 if it was properly exempted and the owner follows the conditions of the exemption. It is not legal simply to acquire or keep an XL Bully without the required exemption.
The Government says applications for new Certificates of Exemption have now closed, and new exemptions can only be authorised by a court order.
Why the Morgan Dorsett case matters
Morgan’s death demonstrates the tragic consequences that can occur when a powerful dog becomes dangerously out of control, even in a private home and even when the victim is known to the dog and its owner.
The case also raises an important question for the public: are the existing restrictions doing enough to prevent fatal attacks?
The XL Bully restrictions were introduced specifically because of concerns surrounding serious and fatal dog attacks. Yet thousands of exempted XL Bully dogs remain legally in the community. Government data published in 2026 indicated that more than 55,000 XL Bully dogs in England and Wales had been issued Certificates of Exemption.
The law therefore does not amount to an immediate nationwide removal of every XL Bully. Instead, it prohibits ownership without an exemption and places significant restrictions on dogs that have been legally retained.
A tragedy for Morgan’s family
Behind the debate over legislation is the death of a 19-year-old woman whose family has been left to deal with an unimaginable loss.
Morgan’s death is a reminder that dangerous-dog legislation is ultimately about preventing people from being seriously injured or killed. It also highlights the importance of responsible ownership, proper control and recognising the potential risks associated with powerful dogs.
For Morgan’s family, however, the legal debate cannot change the fact that a young woman lost her life in a devastating attack.
Her death is likely to continue the wider discussion about whether Britain’s current XL Bully restrictions provide enough protection for the public — and whether further measures should be considered.
Attached is a News article regarding XL bully killing her cousin Morgan dorsett
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn45jvgk97xo
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