DANGEROUS XL Bullys have been dropped at Scotland to flee a clampdown down south, it has emerged.
Some of the lethal dogs are actually in Lanarkshire — because the Scottish Government continues to snub PM Rishi Sunak’s law to muzzle the beasts and ban breeding.
Rogue breeders will swap their operations to Scotland to beat a ban in England and Wales, campaigners warned.
Doug Smith, of marketing campaign group Bully Watch, fears Holyrood’s failure to comply with Westminster’s lead will end in an influx of the killer dogs north of the border.
He stated: “We have vital considerations about Scotland’s divergence on the ban.
“This is about unscrupulous breeders relocating their whole operations to Scotland.
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“They’ve invested tens of hundreds of kilos in breeding dogs and gear.
“If there’s a way for them to continue by moving to Scotland — exporting XL Bullys to international markets legally, and potentially continuing sales illegally to England and Wales with impunity — we believe they’ll absolutely take it.”
From December 31, it would solely be authorized to breed, promote or rehome XL Bullys in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Owning considered one of them with out an exemption certificates will likely be outlawed south of the border from February.
But the SNP has refused to comply with the fast-track plan.
Social media pictures seem to point out XL Bully-type dogs already being transported to Scotland — with these finishing up the strikes admitting it’s to keep away from the ban.
Bedlay Gardens, a canine boarding agency, has made a plea on-line for individuals keen to rehome dogs it’s serving to to carry to Scotland.
In a submit on its Facebook web page, the business based mostly in Chryston, Lanarkshire, stated: “XL Bullys are not banned in Scotland, so at least if they are here in temporary foster homes, we have more time to find them forever homes”.
On Monday, Bedlay Gardens shared a submit revealing that the primary pick-up of XL Bullys had taken place with the “pups” set to be “behaviourally assessed” earlier than assembly their new households.
It confirmed pictures of six dogs at the back of a van as they had been transported from Manchester, saying they had been “XL Bully ‘type’ pups”.
Words used over a TikTok clip acknowledged “safe homes for them all” had been present in Scotland.
Legal risk for ‘keepers’
A LEGAL skilled has warned that anybody who’s taking care of a violent canine may find yourself in courtroom if it assaults one other person — even when they’re not the proprietor.
And that would spell hassle for Scots who agree to supply a home for XL Bullys despatched north of the border by breeders.
Ellidh Clark, of Glasgow-based Complete Clarity Solicitors, stated: “Scots law states it’s the ‘keeper’ of an animal who is accountable for any injuries they cause while in their charge. The law is clear-cut about criminal prosecution.
“But civil actions for compensation can be more complex.
“Anyone who is caring for a dog should be aware of the contents of their insurance policies in case a claim is made against them.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to ban the breed after a string of fatal attacks linked to the dogs, together with the deaths of Ian Price, 52, in Staffordshire and Ian Langley, 54, in Sunderland.
There have additionally been horror XL Bully assaults in Scotland.
We beforehand revealed that the Scottish Government formally refused a request from the UK Government to comply with its crackdown.
Community security minister Siobhian Brown dismissed a ban for now and forged doubt on whether or not there was sufficient proof to justify the transfer.
Scottish Tory MSP Jamie Greene stated: “This is the inevitable and probably harmful penalties of the SNP dragging their heels over what motion to take.
“They need to recognise the impact that dogs being north of the border to avoid restrictions might have on public safety.”
In December 2021, kennel boss Adam Watts, 55, was killed by an XL Bully in Angus.
In October, we advised how eyewitnesses spoke of their horror at seeing an XL Bully savage its teenage owner in Motherwell. The similar month, a courtroom heard how an out-of-control XL Bully mauled three children in terrifying attacks in Forfar.
The ban in England and Wales additionally implies that from the tip of the 12 months, the dogs should be muzzled, microchipped, neutered and stored on a lead in public.
From February, homeowners will want a £92.40 exemption certificates and have third occasion insurance coverage cowl or withstand 14 years in jail.
A Scottish Government spokesman stated: “Scotland already has a canine management discover regime, distinctive within the UK, targeted on stopping dog attacks from occurring.
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“The UK Government introduced the proposal to ban XL Bullys with none discover to the Scottish Government, and we anticipate the UK Government to behave responsibly and guarantee there is no such thing as a affect on Scotland of its choice.
“Any change to rules must be evidenced-based, and we are moving swiftly to carefully consider the evidence so we can make the right decision for Scotland.”
