Scotland could become new XL Bully capital of Britain as desperate breeders ‘dump’ unwanted dogs north of the border before ban
- Images of the dogs being moved in cages have spread on social media platforms
Scotland could become the new XL Bully capital due to breeders dumping the unwanted dogs north of the border before the new ban is implemented.
Images of the dogs being moved in cages have spread on social media platforms with one captioned ‘We found safe homes for them all in Scotland’.
Another post showed six of the dogs in a van being transported north from Manchester ahead of the ban on the breed.
Campaigners say reports this sort of traffic is adding weight to concerns of breeders relocating to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The ban on the notorious breed comes into force from December 31, meaning it will be illegal to breed, sell of rehome an XL Bully in England and Wales.
But the ban won’t apply to Scotland after SNP ministers ruled against it.
This is despite of the spate of attacks in recent months which left some people dead and many others – including owners and children – seriously injured.
A dog boarding company based in Lanarkshire, encouraged owners to bring them to Scotland
American bully dog sitting in metallic cage (stock image)
A dumped dog was found tied to the gates of an RSPCA centre last night
Following a series of fatal attacks, Rishi Sunak announced the ban last September – the same month 52-year-old Ian Price was mauled to death by two XL Bullies as he tried to protect his elderly mother in Stonnal, Staffordshire.
XL Bullies that are less than one year old must be neutered by December 31, 2024.
From February, owners must have an exemption certificate costing £92.40 per dog. They will also need third party insurance cover or face up to 14 years in jail.
But after Scotland rejected these new rules, there have been fears of the country becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for the dogs.
Bedlay Gardens, a dog boarding company based in Lanarkshire, posted on Facebook: ‘XL Bullies are not banned in Scotland, so at least if they are here in temporary foster homes, we have more time to find them forever homes.’
Another post on the page read: ‘Save the Bullies. These dogs are on route to Scotland to be behaviourally assessed.’
There are also videos circulating on TikTok of the dogs being transported to Scotland for their ‘happily ever after’.
dozens of XL Bully owners held a mass meet up with 62 of their dogs in protest
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Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, previously wrote a letter to Shona Robison, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister to ask the country adopt the ban.
He wrote: ‘It is vital we agree a risk of creating a potential ‘dumping’ ground for dangerous dogs that are moved from England and Wales to Scotland.’
But the request was formally rejected in November.
Victims and community safety minister Siobhian Brown wrote to the UK Government, stating the Scottish Government will not apply the new measures.
Her letter said the Scottish Government backed the ‘proportionate approach’ of dog control notices being served on owners who allow their animals to be out of control.
READ MORE – Fury as SNP says they WON’T ban deadly XL bully dogs
But she also argued that it was up to the UK Government to ensure that no XL Bullies were abandoned over the Border.
Scottish Tory Justice spokesman Russell Findlay claimed the SNP was gambling with lives and said: ‘Given the spate of horrific incidents, the evidence for a ban in Scotland is surely staring SNP ministers in the face.
‘Her refusal to sign up to this sensible plan can only increase the risk to Scots.
‘It seems likely that the SNP are yet again picking a constitutional fight with the UK Government.’
He added: ‘For her to then demand that these dogs do not end up in Scotland is tacit admission of the danger they pose. The SNP must stop pathetic posturing and put public safety first.’
Ms Brown also complained that the Scottish Government was given no notice of the ban.
Her letter to Lord Benyon, the UK rural affairs minister, said: ‘It is important that any change in this area in Scotland is based on evidence. We have been carefully considering the evidence on XL Bully dogs and whether similar changes to ban this breed should be applied in Scotland.’
She said existing dog control notices issued by councils are ‘an essential part of helping keep communities safe’ and are a ‘proportionate approach’.
However, a charity warned the ban could lead to more XL Bullies being abandoned if veterinarians are unable to help owners meet the terms of the policy.
Just yesterday, a dog was dumped and tied to the gates of a RSPCA centre in the middle of the night.
Injuries and deaths after attacks by XL Bully type dogs
Jonathan Halstead, 35
Jonathan Halstead, 35 – January 29, 2020
Jonathan died after a severe neck injury and bites after being attacked in his home in Oldham, Greater Manchester by his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bronson.
It is believed the dog attacked him when his its owner suffered an epileptic fit.
Jack Lis, 10
Jack Lis, 10 – November 8, 2021
Schoolboy Jack Lis, 10, suffered catastrophic injuries in the mauling by an American XL Bully dog called Beast while visiting a friend’s home in Penyrheol in Caerphilly, Wales on November 8, 2021.
Neighbours and Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics desperately tried to save him but he died at the scene. Armed police destroyed the dog on site.
Adam Watts, 55
Adam Watts, 55 – December 22, 2021
Adam Watts, 55, was attacked at the Juniper Kennels and Cattery in Kirkton of Auchterhouse, near Dundee, and was pronounced dead at the scene on December 22, 2021.
MARCH 21, 2022: Undated family handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Bella-Rae Birch
Bella-Rae Birch, 17 months – March 21, 2022
Toddler Bella-Rae Birch was attacked by her family’s pet American Bully XL dog when she was just 17 months old.
The vicious dog snatched the child out of her mother’s arms while they were at their home in Blackbrook, St Helens, Merseyside, on March 21 last year.
Keven Jones, 62
Keven Jones, 62 – May 28, 2022
Keven Jones died after he was attacked by an American Bully XL dog in Wrexham, Wales on May 28 last year.
Ambulance workers attempted to save him but they were unable to stop his left leg from bleeding.
Mr Jones was then pronounced dead at his son’s house following the attack.
Joanne Robinson, 43
Joanne Robinson, 43 – July 15, 2022
Mother-of-two Joanne Robinson, 43, was killed by her American Bully XL dog, Rocco, after it ‘turned mad in the extreme heat’ in July last year.
She died at the scene of the attack at home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire while her partner, Jamie Stead, was left with injuries to his hands, stomach and face as he tried to pull the animal off her.
Joanne’s mother Dot, of Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire, revealed at the time that Rocco had previously fought with their other dog Lola – and she had warned her daughter to ‘get rid of one of them’.
Ian ‘Wiggy’ Symes, 34
Ian Symes, 34 – August 2022
Ian ‘Wiggy’ Symes, 34, who is understood to have been walking a Bully XL dog himself at a recreation ground in Fareham, Hampshire, died at the scene following a horrific dog attack in August 2022.
His devastated family said he was out dog walking and ‘doing something he loved’ when he died at the field in Fareham, Hampshire.
Ann Dunn, 65
Ann Dunn, 65 – October 3, 2022
Ann Dunn, 65, was found collapsed with ‘catastrophic injuries’ at her Liverpool home she shared with seven dogs on October 3 last year.
She was mauled to death by dogs including an American Bully XL – and had been sent to hospital a year before her death because she had been bitten by a dog.
Shirley Patrick, 83
Shirley Patrick, 83 – December 3, 2022
Widowed grandmother Shirley Patrick, 83, died after being viciously mauled by an XL Bully in her own home.
The retired nurse died in hospital 17 days after suffering ‘life-threatening injuries’ during the ‘hellish’ and ‘violent’ dog attack in Caerphilly, South Wales on December 3 last year.
Jonathan Hogg, 37
Jonathan Hogg, 37 – May 18, 2023
Jonathan Hogg, 37, was mauled to death by an American XL Bully dog after it turned on him while he was looking after it for a friend.
He entered the dogs’ pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg and head, an inquest heard.
He was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries after the mauling in Leigh, Greater Manchester, on May 18 this year.
Ian Price, 52
Ian Price, 52 – September 14, 2023
On Thursday, September 14, ‘pillar of the community’ Ian Price, 52, was attacked and killed by two ‘devil’ XL Bully dogs after they jumped out of his neighbour’s window in Stonnall, Staffordshire.
Mr Price, from Stonnall, Staffordshire, was attacked and killed by the two dogs which jumped out of a neighbour’s window yards from a primary school. He reportedly died defending his elderly mother from the animals.
The dogs bit him and ripped the clothes from his body leaving him dying in a pool of blood in his boxer shorts in the horror attack just feet from his home.
Ian Langley, 54
Ian Langley, 54 – October 3, 2023
Ian Langley, 54, was set upon on the estate in Sunderland on October 3 this year by an enormous XL Bully dog which grabbed him by the neck as he bent down to pick up his Patterdale terrier pup.
The attack left Mr Langley needing CPR for around 15 minutes as emergency services fought to staunch heavy bleeding from his wounds. However he tragically succumbed to his injuries. His dog survived.
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