SCOTTISH pet rescue charities are being swamped with XL Bully dogs ahead of new English rules which will see a tough crackdown on the breed at the end of this month.
Dog refuges say Scots are lining up to take in the English dogs as the Scottish Government continues to snub PM Rishi Sunak’s law to muzzle the beasts and ban breeding.
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From December 31, it will be illegal in England and Wales to sell, abandon, breed from, or give away an American XL bully.
It will also be illegal to walk one in public without a lead and a muzzle, as owning one without an exemption certificate will be outlawed south of the border from February.
Kellyanne Shaw, 38 from All Bullie Charity Rescue Glasgow has stepped in after many animal shelters in Scotland shut their doors to the breed.
She told the Scottish Sun: “We’re absolutely inundated, I can’t even respond to everybody, there’s just too many messages, emails and phone calls.
“It has been heartbreaking watching owners who loved their dogs being forced to give them up.”
But Kellyanne, of Drumchapel, says many Scots are lining up to adopt the abandoned canines in response to the ban.
She added: “People are just trying to help, we are seeing the rehoming increase because people don’t agree with the ban.
“They are getting in touch wanting to be able to save a dog and offer a lifeline.”
The Scottish SSPSA said people need to judge the owners, not the dogs over their behaviour – as Scotland offers a refuge for the pups instead of putting them to sleep.
They said: For thirty-two years the Dangerous Dogs Act has proven ineffective in reducing dog bites and attacks.
“With more and more pets in Scotland, we believe the focus has to be on putting more responsibility on owners.”
But those who support a ban argue that Scotland is making a mistake.
Doug Smith, from Bully Watch UK, says: “The Scottish government has consulted on dangerous dogs for over three years and has not lifted a finger.
“We are baffled that they have decided not to act.”
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Russell Findlay MSP said the Scottish Government is risking lives by not following suit.
He said: “The SNP are risking lives with their foolish blocking of a UK-wide ban.
“They have recklessly ignored warnings that this would be exploited with dogs coming to Scotland, as we are now seeing.
“It is shameful that they are playing constitutional games instead of prioritising public safety.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Scottish Liberal Democrat Wendy Chamberlain MP said: “It’s clear that XL bullies are a dangerous breed and sensible action is needed.”
The Scottish government says: “Scotland already has a dog control notice regime that applies to all dogs and is focused on preventing dog attacks from happening in the first place.”
