Explosion of XL Bullys in Britain traces back to 'Killer Kimbo' – but breeder says they only become killers when given steroids
Dozens of XL Bullys in Britain are ancestors of one dog – known as “Killer Kimbo”.
But Kimbo's breeder Gustavo Castrofrom Huntington Park Los Angeleshas denied that it is his fault that the dogs become fatal.
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Instead, he accused owners of injecting their pets with steroids to make them stronger and more dangerous.
And he claimed that puppies inherit most of their genes from their mothers, so Kimbo can't be blamed for this.
The term for XL Bully owners to apply for exemption certificates if they want to keep their pets passed over today.
From February 1, you will be able to own one XL Bully dog in England And Wales without certificate.
BROKEN-IN DOGS
Kimbo was the product of severe inbreeding, as he was born to two dogs from the same parents.
And the persistent extremely narrow gene pool could make dogs unstable and cause genetic diseases, experts warn.
Dogs related to 'Killer Kimbo' are certainly responsible for at least 10 violent incidents worldwide, but dozens of others are impossible to trace, according to researchers at campaign group BullyWatch.
Since March 2020, eight Britons have been killed by XL Bullys.
Last October Ian “Scouse” Langley54, was killed while protecting his puppy when an XL Bully pounced on him outside a house Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Mr. Castro boasts that Kimbo, who died a decade ago, has as many as 600 descendants around the world.
But he refused to accept any blame for the murders.
He told The Sun: “Kimbo's offspring are now all over the world and it's going to be really big to have a big dog.
“Some people when they get my dogs they start injecting them with steroids and other things that aren't meant to be, to make them big.
“All that stuff has side effects. You won't get a normal dog, the dog will be different.
“My dogs are naturally large. Puppies get more out of their mother's genes anyway. If the mothers are aggressive, it's not necessarily Kimbo's fault.
“I have also had no problems with Kimbo's offspring.
“I currently have a Kimbo grandson and a great-grandson, so it's instant, and my dogs are perfectly fine.
“These descendants have other blood that we don't even know about.”
DOG DEATHS LAST YEAR
There were eight tragic dog deaths in 2023, including:
Natasha JohnstonJanuary 28 – January 12 – Dog walker died after a frenzied attack while walking eight mixed-breed dogs in Caterham, Surrey.
Alice SteentjesJanuary 4 – January 31 – Alice was attacked by an American bulldog the family had received from a shelter in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
Wayne Stevens51 – April 22 – Wayne's brother Gary was arrested and charged for having an out-of-control dog in Derby.
Jonathan Hogg37 – 18 May – Attacked in Westleigh Lane, Leigh while caring for an American XL Bully for a friend.
Woman in her seventieswho was never publicly identified, died on June 2 at Kathleen Avenue, Bedworth.
Marie Stevens40 – September 3 – Attacked by two Rottweilers at her home in Brighton-le-Sands on August 18.
Ian Price52 – September 14 – Two American XL Bullys attacked Mr Price as he visited his mother in Main Street, Sonnall.
Ian Langley54 – October 3 – American XL Bully attacked Mr Langley while trying to protect his Patterdale terrier puppy.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier announced a ban on the breed according to the death of married father Ian Price52, who was attacked by two XL Bully dogs in Stonnall, Staffin September.
Mr Castro said he opposes a ban, claiming Kimbo was a “gentle giant” who was regularly “hugged and kissed” by children.
He added: “Kimbo grew up with my six daughters and they kissed and hugged him.
“They had a very good relationship with him. He was a gentle giant and he didn't bite anyone.”
Kimbo bled into all those bloodlines
Gloria Zsigmond
But BullyWatch scientist Gloria Zsigmond said she is concerned about the large number linked to Kimbo, claiming he had a history of violence in his bloodline.
She said: “Often the Bully breeders try to hide how the dogs are inbred.
“Kimbo bled into all those bloodlines because he was early and dominant in breeding.”
Kevin Jones, a 65-year-old former lorry driver from Wrexham was killed by a dog linked to Kimbo, he said The Telegraph.
Mr Jones died of blood loss. His son's XL Bully, named Cookie Doe, bit him in May 2022 — the dog was related to Kimbo on both sides of the family.
The Covid lockdowns saw an explosion in the number of new dog owners and in the number of pets purchased unscrupulous breeders.
And the number of incidents has increased with 34 percent in England And Wales figures have emerged over the past five years.
Between 2001 and 2021, there was an average of 3.3 dog-related deaths annually.
In 2022 that shot up to ten, while in 2023 there were eight tragic deaths.
He turned four years old in January last year Alice Steentjes died after his attacked by a dog in her backyard Milton KeynesBucks.
And in February, Natasha Johnston, 28was bitten to death by the dogs she walked with Surrey.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
IT is against the law to allow a dog to run dangerously out of control anywhere, including private homes.
This applies to all dogs, not just banned breeds.
Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone or makes someone afraid that it might injure them.
A court may also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if it attacks an animal.
Penalties for violating the law include an unlimited fine and imprisonment from six months to fourteen years.
Your dog may be destroyed and you may not be allowed to own a dog in the future.
Four dog breeds are banned in Britain.
These are pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Brasileiro.
The police or municipality can seize a dog of these breeds even if it is not behaving dangerously and no complaint has been filed.
From February 1, you will be able to own one XL Bully dog in England And Wales without certificate.
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