Ban the XL Bully.. or they'll be sent here

Crackdown in England means dangerous dogs will end up north of the Border

- CHRIS MCCALL

CHARITY BIDS TO REHOME DOGS IN SCOTLAND

SNP ministers have been urged to introduce a “robust” ban on XL Bullies, amid fears the dogs are being sent to Scotland to avoid a crackdown in England.

The Scottish Government has so far refused to commit to banning the crossbreed – despite a rise in reported attacks across the UK. But a charity saying it was looking to rehome XL Bullies in Scotland and Northern Ireland has led to calls for urgent action.

North East Fife Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain said: “It’s clear that this is a dangerous breed and sensible action is needed. A robust ban needs to be put in place across the whole of the UK.”

PM Rishi Sunak announced in September that it will become illegal in England and Wales to own an unregistered XL Bully dog from February. It will also be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray from the end of this year.

There are estimated to be at least 10,000 XL Bullies in the UK and rescue centres have been inundated with requests to take in unwanted pets since Sunak announced a ban.