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The Scottish government has announced a ban on XL bully dogs. This decision was made due to reports of owners from England bringing their pets to Scotland to abandon them in order to avoid new licensing regulations in England.
Humza Yousaf, the first minister of Scotland, confirmed that the Scottish government plans to essentially mirror the UK’s law that prohibits owning XL bully dogs without a license.
A law prohibiting the ownership of American breed dogs was proposed last year following a series of incidents in which the dogs caused harm or fatalities to individuals.
The XL is the biggest of four variations of the American bully, bred specifically for fighting. It possesses a strong, muscular physique and a powerful bite, and can reach weights of up to 9 stone.
Lawrence Newport, a legal scholar who advocated for prohibiting the breed, stated that it is the most hazardous in British history, with a fatality rate 270 times higher than other dog breeds.
Emma Whitfield, shown with her late son Jack, advocated for a legal amendment after he was fatally victimized by an XL bully.
As of December 31st, it is now mandatory for all XL bully breeds to be restrained and have a muzzle when in public. It is also against the law to breed, sell, advertise, give away, exchange, or abandon these dogs, as well as allowing them to wander freely.
In the upcoming month, it will be illegal to possess an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a certificate.
Numerous XL bully breed owners have already obtained exemption certificates, while some will need to submit an application for an exemption certificate by 31 January.
However, animal welfare organizations and dog enthusiasts cautioned about an increase in the number of XL bully breeds being left behind.
The prohibition sparked demonstrations among those who love dogs.
After the ban was suggested, numerous animals were listed for sale on the internet. Shortly after the ban was officially announced, there was another increase in the number of animals being sold on various websites.
Mr Yousaf stated that the choice to copy the Dangerous Dogs Act would be made following a parliamentary announcement next week, due to a high number of dogs being abandoned in the northern region.
During the First Minister’s Questions, he stated, “Unfortunately, it has become evident in the past few weeks that there has been an influx of XL bully dogs being brought into Scotland by individuals.”
Therefore, we will provide additional information to the members of the Scottish Parliament in a parliamentary statement if the Parliamentary Bureau approves next week.
Lawrence Newport, a legal scholar who advocated for a prohibition, claims that XL bullies are 270 times more fatal than other dog breeds.
English owners who chose not to seek exemption certificates attempted to circumvent the prohibition by exploiting the absence of laws in Scotland.
Daniel Ward, a previous truck driver, relocated from London to Scotland due to his rescue dog being unable to wear a muzzle and his inability to afford a license.
Mr. Ward told the Daily Record that his preferred activity is playing at the beach. However, due to a ban, he is unable to do so and he cannot bring his dog to the beach while wearing a muzzle. He believes this is unjust and the reason for their upcoming move.
“It costs £93 to register, which is equivalent to almost a month’s worth of food for me. I have been surviving on a diet of sandwiches, beans, and eggs as all of my money was used for the trip to come here.”
In the previous month, a dog enthusiast from England who specializes in XL-breed dogs made multiple trips of over 200 miles to relocate numerous dogs in Scotland.
Sammy Wilkinson took at least 35 there before the new law came into force, racking up an estimated 6,000 miles with journeys from his West Midlands home.
Sammy Wilkinson transported a minimum of 35 canines across the border in order to evade the prohibition.
According to him, neglectful individuals have been abandoning their animals, as he recently came across three deserted near his residence and assisted in saving another that was severely undernourished in a cage.
A new extra large bully was discovered bound and burned in Carshalton, located in the southern region of London.
Mr Yousaf stated that they plan to adopt similar laws to those in England and Wales in Scotland. Despite having effective dog-control notice programs and a stance against breeding, they must address the current situation and prioritize public safety.
The Scottish SPCA expressed their disappointment with the decision made by Holyrood, stating that it may not be the most effective means of safeguarding the public.
We believe that any type of dog has the potential to become uncontrollable and dangerous if not properly trained or handled. Therefore, we think that individuals who are responsible for a dangerous dog that is involved in an attack should be permanently prohibited from owning another dog.
The organization stated that there has been no notable rise in the number of XL Bully dogs at their rescue facilities following the legal modification in England and Wales.
Shelters reported an excessive number of abandoned animals due to the high cost of living crisis, even before the XL bully ban was put in place. The ban is expected to increase their already overwhelming workload.
The source of this information is from The Independent, a reputable news outlet.
