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A XL Bully lover drove greater than 200 miles on New Year’s Eve to rehome dogs in Scotland – simply hours earlier than a ban on the breed was launched in England and Wales.
From midnight on Sunday, 31 December, American XL bullies should be muzzled and kept on a lead in public. It’s now additionally unlawful to breed, promote, promote, reward, change, and abandon the dogs or allow them to stray.
It comes earlier than a ban on the breed with out an excemption certificates in February.
The change in laws has gone via Parliament despite strong opposition, together with from charities and canine house owners who say a restriction primarily based on breeds will not tackle a rise in attacks.
Among these in opposition to the ban is Sammy Wilkinson, from Tipton within the Black Country, West Midlands. He’s taken round 30 of the dogs for rehoming in Scotland, the place the change in legislation doesn’t apply.
Sammy Wilkinson drove two dogs from his home within the West Midlands to Scotland the place new guidelines on the breed don’t apply
(Sammy Wilkinson / Facebook)
On New Year’s Eve, simply hours earlier than the ban, he shared an image on social media with him in a automotive with two dogs. He wrote: “I’m absolutely exhausted and my car is falling apart but you’re not killing these Rishi Sunak, now it’s a race to the Scottish Border before midnight.”
Support has are available Mr Wilkinson from throughout the nation. A Go Fund Me page set as much as assist him has raised almost £9,000. Organiser Lisa wrote: “I’m putting this fundraiser together for Sammy Wilkinson. In hope that we can raise some money to help Sammy in saving even more XL Bullies.
“Sammy is currently driving Day and Night from the Black Country to Scotland, each time taking a group of XL bullies with him and finding them new homes in Scotland.About 30 dogs so far he’s saved and he’s still going!
“Sammy will continue to do this for as long as he can. Please everyone let’s support him and lets help save more XL Bullies.”
In response to the money raised, Mr Wilkinson posted on his social media on Tuesday night that the money could be used to assist individuals apply for exemption certificates and muzzles for his or her XL Bullys.
XL bully dogs might be banned from February following a collection of assaults (Jacob King/PA)
(PA Wire)
He added: “No matter how little you gave, just know you are hugely appreciated and if it wasn’t for people like you supplying the frontlines from behind the scenes none of this would be possible.”
XL Bullys joined American pitbull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinos and fila Brasileiros on the listing of banned breeds on the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The resolution to outlaw possession got here after a rise in dog attacks. But many have mentioned the breeds are to not blame, and have known as on the federal government to as an alternative concentrate on house owners, canine licencing and coaching.
From 1 February, XL Bully house owners will want a certificates of exemption which should be utilized for earlier than 31 January.
Environment secretary Steve Barclay mentioned: ‘The Prime Minister pledged to take fast and decisive motion to guard the general public from devastating canine assaults with measures in place by the tip of 2023.
“We have met that pledge – it is now a legal requirement for XL Bully dogs to be muzzled and on a lead in public. It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.”
