Animal charities and rescue teams are in a race in opposition to time to rehome deserted XL Bully dogs earlier than New Year’s Eve, when the ban on the breed will imply the organisations need to put them down.
Rishi Sunak introduced in September that American XL Bullies would be banned by the tip of the yr, after a spate of fatal attacks.
From Sunday, will probably be unlawful to promote, breed or give away an XL Bully-type dog and will probably be an offence to personal one from Feb 1 until the animal is registered to the Index of Exempted Dogs.
The RSPCA mentioned that that they had till New Year’s Eve to rehome the animals, with any XL Bullies remaining of their care having to be put down.
Dr Sam Gaines, of the animal charity, mentioned: “We are unfortunately facing a deadline of New Year’s Eve.
“If we cannot rehome the XL Bullies that are in our care that are ready to be rehomed, we are going to be in the unfortunate situation that they are going to have to be put to sleep.”
She mentioned the charity is working very arduous to rehome the breed in time however admitted that deserted XL Bullies are nonetheless being despatched to their centres.
The charity estimated that as many as 200 XL Bullies are within the care of the charity sector, however the determine might be larger.
Not all dogs able to be rehomed
In a press release, the RSPCA mentioned that “not all of the dogs in our care are ready to be rehomed before the deadline, due to behavioural or medical reasons, and it’s heartbreaking for the staff and volunteers who have been caring for them.”
“Sadly, as a charity which rescues animals from cruelty and neglect, some of the dogs in our care would not be able to be safely rehomed due to the traumas they have suffered.
“We do not have an exact number and are unlikely to know for some time due to a number of dogs still awaiting assessment from police dog liaison officers and court cases to conclude.
“We believe it could be as many as 200 across the charity sector and local authority dog wardens are likely to have more as they deal with stray dogs, which can no longer be rehomed.”
The RSPCA has previously expressed “concern” about “what support will be offered by Government to rescue centres to fulfil the requirements of this ban, which will be very difficult for staff and vets to carry out”.
Local shelters and rescue teams have additionally seen an increase within the variety of the soon-to-be-banned pets being deserted and ending up of their care.
Michelle Jordan, who works as a volunteer for an area rescue group in Exeter, mentioned: “Up until the ban came into effect we were never asked by a council pound or vet to rescue any of these dogs because they had been abandoned.
“We did not have any requests before but since October we have had about 12.”
Two XL Bullies had been discovered deserted on the road in Cornwall, with the pair spending Christmas in kennels.
At the tip of October three extra XL Bully-type dogs had been dumped and ended up in Cornwall Council’s animal welfare group.
Dogs Trust has beforehand mentioned it could not soak up any extra XL Bully dogs as a result of the charity has a coverage of by no means placing down a wholesome canine.
Break for the border
Reports emerged earlier this month of some dogs being sent to Scotland for rehoming, as the brand new ban will solely come into impact in England and Wales.
Social media posts instructed that a number of of the pets had been transported north of the border, including weight to issues that many breeders will relocate their total operations to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Other banned canine breeds within the UK embrace Pit Bull Terrier and Fila Brasileiro.
From Sunday, will probably be for rehoming centres to determine whether or not to use for a certificates of exemption to maintain the dogs, or to have them euthanised by a vet.
Rescue organisations will be capable to declare £100 from the Government in direction of the cost of getting the dogs euthanised.
A Defra spokesman mentioned that XL Bully dogs “pose an unacceptable risk to the public” and that the Government had acted “decisively” in enacting the ban.
“We are working closely with charities and rehoming centres to safely manage any XL Bully dogs in their care, and we will provide financial support for any that have to put XL Bully dogs down.”
