Owners urged to prepare for changes.
The first of a two-stage approach to new legal safeguards on XL
Bully dogs will come into force on 23 February subject to
parliamentary approval.
From this date, it will remain legal to own an XL Bully dog but
owners must ensure their dogs are muzzled and on a lead when in a
public place. Selling, gifting or exchanging XL Bully dogs will
also be prohibited.
Stage two of the new rules, which come into force from 31 July,
will make it an offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption
certificate or having applied for an exemption certificate. This
means existing XL Bully dog owners will need to consider whether
they wish to keep their dogs and if so will have to apply and pay
for an exemption permit by that date.
Full details as to what date applications for an exemption
certificate will open, how to apply and the support available
will be announced in the coming weeks.
The new regulations, which are subject to approval by Parliament,
are being introduced as a consequence of similar controls on the
breed that have been introduced by the UK Government in England
and Wales, which have resulted in reports of dogs being moved to
Scotland.
Minister for Victims & Community Safety said:
“It is vital XL Bully dog owners get ready for the first stage of
legal safeguards that will come into force on 23 February. These
new rules are intended to prevent risks to public safety and
animal welfare and keep our communities safe.
“The second stage of legal safeguards will provide owners seeking
an exemption an appropriate length of time to decide how to
prepare for the forthcoming change in the law ahead of the 31
July deadline.
“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible animal lovers
and we know owning a dog brings with it important
responsibilities. I would encourage owners to make
themselves aware of the new laws and get ready for them.”
Background
The penalties available to a court upon conviction for breach of
the new safeguards are up to six months imprisonment and/or a
fine up to £5,000.
Letter to Criminal Justice
Committee.
The definition to be used for an XL Bully dog is the same as used
by the UK Government. This can be found at: Check if a dog is an
XL Bully - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Local authorities have existing powers under the Control of Dogs
(Scotland) Act 2010 to serve Dog Control Notices that set out
what dog owners must do to bring their dogs under control to
combat ‘out of control’ dogs at an early stage.
