It comes after a spate of recent attacks and deaths involving the American XL bully breed.

In September, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared the breed a "danger to communities" after a man died in a "suspected" attack by two of the dogs in Stonnall, Staffordshire.

Changes in the law will be phased in over several months. From 31 December 2023 breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an XL bully dog to stray will be illegal in England and Wales, the government said.

Also from 31 December 2023, XL bully dogs must be muzzled and on a lead in public.

From 1 February 2024 it will then become illegal to own an XL bully dog - unless its owner applies for their animal to be registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs, and complies with a strict set of rules, by the end of January.

The rules include a requirement to keep their pets muzzled, neutered, microchipped and kept on a lead at all times in public.

The UK Bully Kennel Club said it was "devastated" by the latest announcement.

"Our hearts go out to everyone who will be affected by this," a statement read.

The group - which says it is dedicated to fostering responsible dog ownership and breeding practices - said its biggest concern is the thousands of dogs in shelters and rescues across the country that have now been sentenced to death if not re-homed before the 31 December.

"We plead with the general public to consider saving one of these beautiful dogs who are perfectly healthy and of sound temperament and will be put to sleep purely based on the way they look and not how they behave," the group said.

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Ministers said £200 in compensation would also be offered to owners who decided to have their dogs put to sleep by a vet. Details of how to apply will be released at a later date.

Breeders have also been told to stop mating the animals from now on in preparation for the change in the law.

Owners face having their dog seized - and an unlimited fine - if they fail to comply.

'Quick and decisive action'

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said the government was taking "quick and decisive action to protect the public from tragic dog attacks".

She added: "We will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, as we take forward these important measures."

Four types of dog are already banned in the UK - the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino and the fila Brasileiro.

Mr Sunak announced his intention to ban the breed in September.

The announcement prompted protests from some owners, who accused the government of "bullying our best friends".

Critics have also raised doubts about a ban, arguing it can be hard to define the breed, and say more attention needs to be paid to the owners of dangerous dogs, rather than the animals themselves.

An official definition of the breed has now been published by the government, which describes the dogs as having a "heavy, large and broad" head and a "blocky or slightly squared" muzzle.

It is also described the breed as "heavily-muscled" with a "large, blocky body giving impression of great power for size".

A 29-year-old woman who suffered serious injuries in North Tyneside at the weekend is among those to have been recent victims of suspected attacks by the breed.

Others include an 11-year-old girl, who was also seriously hurt when she was attacked by an American XL bully crossbreed in Birmingham in September.

In May Jonathan Hogg, 37, died after being mauled while looking after his friend's dog, reported to be an XL bully.

Last year a man and a woman were jailed after admitting to being in charge of a XL bully that mauled a 10-year-old boy to death in 2021.