Top Tory Thérèse Coffey has told MPs she received death threats over the Government's ban on XL Bully dogs.
The Tory MP, who quit as Environment Secretary two weeks ago, acknowledged the legislation has triggered "strong emotions". Politicians also heard a grieving mum, whose son was killed by an XL bully, had also been threatened after campaigning for improved safety.
Ms Coffey told a debate that the decision to ban the breed "is not being considered lightly and a lot of care and attention is being given to the detail". It comes after MPs warned against unfairly targeting the breed of dogs, urging ministers to carry out a "wholesale" review of dangerous dogs.
Ms Coffey said: "In terms of emotions, I must admit I've had several death threats about this particular legislation that's been brought into place and I'm conscious it is driving strong emotions. But what I will say is the Government took an approach that would allow time for people to rehome, if they feel they could not keep an XL Bully type dog."
She added: "We must remember the reason why we are taking this approach at all. It is to try and stop attacks and people read about these every week. They're happening all over the country."
It comes after Ms Coffey resigned from Rishi Sunak's Cabinet, saying she "nearly died" from the stress of being a Government minister. She told BBC Radio Suffolk she was admitted to hospital after “working [herself] into the ground”. “Nearly five years ago I got so ill, I nearly, dare I say it, died,” she said. “I was in hospital for a month with some of the stresses that happen with ministerial life."
The Mirror has been campaigning for action after a spate of dog attacks, including the killing of ten-year-old Jack Lis by an XL Bully in 2021. His mother Emma, who has supported the Mirror's campaign, said after the ban was announced: "As much as I do agree with the ban because of what’s happened to us and all over the country, they can’t introduce this and think that it solves everything because it doesn’t. The bad breeders, owners and sellers will still be at large with many other breeds and this needs tackling too."
Tory MP Nick Fletcher, who tabled the debate, said he understands why the Government has called for the ban but raised concerns about its effectiveness, including a need to focus on breeders and owners as opposed to just the type of dogs. But he warned against targeting against individuals involved.
He said he has spoken with Emma, who he said has suffered "abuse" from those who oppose the ban. He said it was “abhorrent” to do that to a grieving mother, adding: “Emma has suffered enough. Her only goal is to make sure nobody goes through such a horrific ordeal.” After presenting his arguments in the debate, he said: "We must never have to hear of another story like Emma's and in memory of little Jack, we should work collectively to come up with the right answers for both our safety, as the public, and that of our pets, and we must do it quickly."
The Government announced last month that XL Bully dogs will be illegal to own unless registered on a special list of dogs from January 31, with the breed added to the list of dogs banned under Dangerous Dogs Act. It will be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales from the end of the year, and owners must keep XL Bully dogs on a lead and muzzled when in public from the same date.