Desperate XL bully dog owners have fought back against a ban that would force them to put their animals down, with exemption pleas soaring to more than 21,000 in just a few weeks.

The ban was brought in after the number of people killed in vicious attacks by the breed soared from an average of three a year to 10 in 2022, with four of them children.

Disturbing videos also emerged of the animals chasing and mauling members of the public in a series of devastating attacks, often causing serious injury.

But owners argue that adding XL bullies to the list banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act is unfair and that the bad handling of a minority has let down the breed.

Responding to a parliamentary question from independent MP Julian Knight, Mark Spencer, a minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said that as of January 8, there had been 21,277 applications for a certificate of exemption in England and Wales.

“These applications are still being processed and may include duplicates, errors or ineligible applications,” he added.

People still have until January 31 to make the £92.40 application before the ban comes into force on February 1, meaning there could still be thousands more yet.

On December 31, it became illegal to breed, sell, abandon, or rehome XL bullies, or allow them to become stray.

Between now and the start of the ban, current XL bully owners must keep the dogs on a lead and muzzled at all times in public.

If they are granted a certificate of exemption, they must comply with additional restrictions such as ensuring the animals are neutered and having third-party liability insurance.

When the ban was announced in November, Defra said it was “taking quick and decisive action to protect the public from tragic dog attacks”.

However, animal charity the Blue Cross has said: “We continue to be concerned that the Dangerous Dogs Act penalises innocent dogs.

“Heartbreakingly, charities like ours cannot now rehome XL bullies, even when they’re well-behaved and well-socialised.”

Scotland has announced that it will bring in its own XL bully ban in the future. The restriction does not currently apply in Northern Ireland.