How American Pitbulls are being bred to be so powerful they can pull up to 8818 pounds in weight – the same as a U-Haul truck – as animal welfare experts brand dog club competitions ‘cruel and disturbing’

Shocking new videos have emerged in Thailand showcasing the sheer power of American Pit Bulls as they compete in controversial weight-pulling competitions that animal rights activists have labeled “cruel and disturbing.”

In one video, a pit bull is shown pulling a weight of 4,000 kg or 8,818 pounds, which is the equivalent of a U-Haul truck. Another dog pulls a weight of 7,000 pounds, which would be equivalent to a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

The dog's owner gets into his pet's face and shouts encouraging words while clapping his hands loudly.

Ultimately, the pit bull, dressed in an orange harness, manages to pull a pallet of stones to the end of a more than 5 meter long track.

The torn dog has a gut on his elbow joint, but he appears to be relaxed after completing the task.

The American pit bulls are a type of XL Bully, which will be banned in Britain in 2024 after a series of fatal attacks. The XL was originally bred from the American pit bull terrier.

In one clip, the dog pulls a pallet of bricks while the owner cheers him on

The practice is not isolated to Southeast Asia. The British Bully Kennel Club advertises a “weight pulling championship” on its website.

A website dedicated to training pit bulls to pull weights promotes the sport by saying, “Think of it like pulling a tractor… only your dog is the tractor.”

The website, BullyingMax, tells users that training your dog to pull weights will prevent him from chewing furniture, curb his aggression, limit OCD and eliminate excessive barking.

In 2014, Lindsay Rajt, a spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, spoke out against the practice of weight pulling.

'It can be extremely dangerous for dogs, especially if they are not conditioned or trained for it. The other concern is if you have owners who are more focused on winning than the safety of their dogs,” she shared Al Jazeera.

Rajt further said that the practice of training dogs to pull weights has been associated with dog fighting because of the methods used.

“Why can't you just appreciate the animal for the companionship it provides?” she continued.

At least one animal rights activist has compared the sport to dog fighting because of the similar training methods

Another animal rights activist, Dan Hester, a former Tampa-area city councilman, told CBS10 in 2019 that the practice is downright “wrong.”

The videos come as the UK government prepares to ban XL Bullys following a series of deadly attacks, including this one on Jack Lis in 2021 in Wales

Another animal rights activist, Dan Hester, a former Tampa-area city councilman, told the story CBS10 in 2019 that the practice is downright 'wrong'.

'For me it's wrong. I'm not saying it's illegal, but I'm suggesting that in the 21st century this is not the way you treat what is intended to be a companion animal,” Hester said.

In September, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to ban American XL Bully dogs, calling them a “danger to our communities” in a video statement.

“It is not currently a breed defined in law, so this crucial first step must be taken quickly,” Sunak said in a video statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

'We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.'

Four dog breeds are currently banned in Britain: the pit bull terrier, the Japanese tosa, the dogo Argentino and the fila Brasileiro.

Some campaigners have called for the American XL Bully, which was originally bred from the American pit bull terrier, to be added to the list, as they believe dangerous traits have been bred into the animals.

The XL Bully is not recognized as a breed by the British Kennel Club, which has argued that no breed of dog is inherently dangerous.

The organization says breed-specific bans do not address the main factors contributing to attacks, primarily irresponsible dog owners who train their dogs to be aggressive.

The bully breeds get their name because they were originally used in blood sports, such as bullbaiting. The dogs have a muscular build and a heavier bone structure than pit bulls.