Animal charities are dashing to re-home deserted XL Bully dogs earlier than New Year’s Eve because the ban on the breed looms nearer – it is going to be an offence to personal one from February 1 until the animal is registered to the Index of Exempted Dogs
Animal charities and rescue teams are dashing to re-home abandoned XL Bully dogs earlier than New Year’s Eve because the ban on the dog breed looms nearer.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced in September that American XL Bullies could be banned by the tip of the yr, after a spate of deadly assaults – that means that any XL Bullies left with organisations would have to be put down. From Sunday, you will not be capable to promote, breed or give away an XL Bully-type canine.
It may also be an offence to personal one from February 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.
The animal charity’s Dr Sam Gaines mentioned: “We are sadly dealing with a deadline of New Year’s Eve. If we can’t rehome the XL Bullies which are in our care which are able to be rehomed, we’re going to be within the unlucky state of affairs that they’re going to must be put to sleep.”
She additionally mentioned the charity is working very onerous to rehome the breed in time however admitted that deserted XL Bullies are nonetheless being despatched to their centres. Estimates recommend as many as 200 XL Bullies are within the care of the charity sector, however the determine might be greater.
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, a number of the dogs in our care wouldn’t be capable to be safely rehomed because of the traumas they’ve suffered,” The Telegraph reported.
“We do not need an actual quantity and are unlikely to know for a while as a consequence of a variety of dogs nonetheless awaiting evaluation from police canine liaison officers and courtroom instances to conclude. We consider it might be as many as 200 throughout the charity sector and native authority canine wardens are more likely to have extra as they take care of stray dogs, which might now not be rehomed.”
The RSPCA has beforehand 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 witnessed an increase within the variety of the soon-to-be-banned pets being deserted and ending up of their care. For occasion, two XL Bullies had been discovered deserted on the road in Cornwall, with the pair spending Christmas in kennels.
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. Some experiences additionally recommend some dogs are being despatched to Scotland for rehoming, as the brand new ban will solely come into impact in England and Wales. Other banned canine breeds within the UK embody Pit Bull Terrier and Fila Brasileiro.
From Sunday, it is going to be for rehoming centres to resolve whether or not to use for a certificates of Exemption to maintain the dogs, or to have them euthanised by a vet, the place analysis organisations can declare £100 from the federal government to cowl prices 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 carefully with charities and rehoming centres to securely handle any XL Bully dogs of their care, and we’ll present monetary assist for any that must put XL Bully dogs down.”
