Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has confirmed that unlicensed XL bully dogs will be banned in Scotland, following the implementation of similar regulations in England and Wales. The decision comes as a response to a recent influx of XL bully dogs being brought into Scotland.

The move aligns with regulations that have already come into force in England and Wales, which followed a series of attacks involving this breed, resulting in injuries and fatalities.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Mr Yousaf stated, “What has become clear, I’m afraid in the last few weeks, is that we have seen a flow of XL bully dogs coming to Scotland, several people coming to Scotland to bring XL bully dogs here to the country.

Mr Yousaf also mentioned that further details of the legislation’s implementation would be provided to the Scottish Parliament through a ministerial statement if agreed upon by the parliamentary bureau next week. The legislation in Scotland is expected to replicate the measures in place in England and Wales.

Despite Scotland having a system of dog control notice schemes and following the “deed not breed” approach, the decision to ban unlicensed XL bully dogs is motivated by the need to ensure public safety in light of recent developments.

Community safety minister Siobhan Brown issued a warning to Scottish residents not to purchase XL bully dogs “at present,” citing the influx of these dogs into Scotland due to the UK government’s policy changes.

In England and Wales, XL bullies were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act on October 31, 2023, mandating that owners keep them on a lead and muzzle them in public. Additionally, selling, breeding, abandoning, or giving away XL bully dogs became illegal. Owners have until January 31 to apply for an exemption certificate, which requires the dog to be neutered, microchipped, and insured. Failure to comply may result in the euthanasia of the dog, a potential criminal record, and fines for owners.

XL bully owner Lauren Ballantyne, from Fife, expressed support for the regulations, stating that responsible owners should not have an issue complying with them. She emphasized the importance of responsible ownership and expressed her belief that a breed ban is not the solution.

The Scottish SPCA, an animal welfare charity, has not witnessed an increase in the number of XL bully dogs brought to its centres since the restrictions were imposed in England and Wales. While the charity supports the Scottish government’s decision, it opposes breed-specific bans and advocates for addressing irresponsible ownership and low-welfare breeding practices.

The forthcoming legislation in Scotland aims to enhance public safety and address concerns related to XL bully dogs being brought into the country.