Scotland is set to ban XL bully dogs, following an influx of these dogs from England as owners sought to evade new licensing controls.
Scotland to replicate XL Bully ban
The decision to mirror UK legislation was confirmed by Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, responding to an increase in XL bully dogs being abandoned north of the border. Last year, the UK introduced legislation prohibiting ownership of the American breed due to a series of attacks resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Up until now, Scotland was a safe haven for XL Bully owners who had not applied for the certificate of exemption or did not wish to comply with the new rules. But with dozens of dogs being brought to the country following the ban, and XL Bullies being 270 times more deadly than other types of breeds, Scotland feels it must now replicate England's ban.
What the ban entails
The XL bully, the largest among four American bully types, is bred for fighting, possessing a muscular build and powerful bite, with a potential weight of up to 9 stone. As of December 31, in England, XL Bullies must be leashed and muzzled in public, and breeding, selling, advertising, giving, exchanging, abandoning, or letting them stray is illegal.
England and Wales will make it a criminal offense to own an XL Bully without a certificate from next month. While some owners have received exemption certificates, others must apply before January 31.
