Animal rescue centres are at “huge risk” of being inundated with deserted XL bully dogs as a Government ban looms, the RSPCA has warned.
From December 31 the dogs should be muzzled in public and will probably be unlawful to breed, promote or abandon them, though house owners can ask a vet to place them down and declare compensation.
Owners might want to apply for an exemption to maintain their dogs after February 1 2023.
The RSPCA, which opposes the ban, has warned that vets and rescue centres throughout the nation are already seeing a rise within the deserted breed and that many could also be unable to deal with the rising demand.
It comes after the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) warned of elevated abandonment charges and mentioned the brand new guidelines might result in a “postcode lottery” for vets having the ability to assist house owners meet the phrases.
Dr Samantha Gaines, canine welfare skilled on the RSPCA, mentioned: “We have long campaigned against breed-specific legislation, which bans dogs simply due to the way they look.
“This has failed to effectively protect the public and animal’s welfare and has seen countless dogs who have not shown aggression lose their lives.
“Already, there are anecdotal reports of dogs being surrendered or abandoned across the rescue sector – and we fear as the deadline for the XL bully dog looms, this problem is going to get worse.
“There is a huge risk that rescue centres and the veterinary profession will not be able to cope with the demands put on them by this law
“We urgently need more information and support from the UK Government so that we can help support owners and dogs affected by this ban.”
The full ban will come into place on February 1, that means house owners have simply over six weeks left to use for an exemption certificates to maintain their dogs, or face potential legal proceedings and an infinite nice.
To qualify for an exemption certificates, house owners should show their XL bully has been neutered by June 30.
If the pup is lower than a 12 months old by January 31, they need to neutered by the top of 2024, and proof should be supplied.
As nicely as neutering their animals, XL bully house owners searching for an exemption should additionally pay an utility payment, maintain energetic public legal responsibility insurance coverage for his or her pets and make sure the dogs are microchipped.
So far, 4,000 house owners have utilized for an exemption, though Dr Gaines urged others to return ahead earlier than the deadline, saying it was essential they put together for the ban “as soon as possible”.
She mentioned there had been greater than 50,000 visits to the RSPCA recommendation web page since September, an “unprecedented number” which displays “deep concern and desire for clarity” from house owners.
The measures had been launched after an increase in canine assaults over recent years. Until 2021 there have been about three deaths a 12 months, however there have since been 23.
People with dangerously uncontrolled dogs may be jailed for 14 years and banned from proudly owning animals, and their pets may be put down.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been approached for remark.
