XL bully-style dog ‘rehomed from England’ shot dead after mauling two men in Scotland

Humza Yousaf’s government repeatedly refused to join the XL bully ban south of the border despite Michael Gove warning them “it is vital we agree a shared solution which minimises the risk of creating a potential ‘dumping ground’ for dangerous dogs that are moved from England and Wales to Scotland”.

There are more than 30,000 XL Bully dogs in Britain, government figures show, which is three times more than officials had expected before banning the breed.

Owners of an XL Bully need to either put down their animal or register it on the Index of Exempt Dogs ahead of the ban coming into force at the end of the month.

It was previously estimated by Defra officials that there were only around 10,000 of the breed but the Government has seen more than three times that amount registered already.

It will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully if it does not have the certificate of exemption by February 1.

But they performed a “humiliating” about-turn earlier this month, with Mr Yousaf stating that Scotland would “replicate the legislation that is in England and Wales here”.

Siobhian Brown, the Community Safety Minister, said the breeding, selling and abandonment of the animals will be outlawed

Dogs must be kept muzzled and on a lead while in public, but owners will be able to apply for an exemption certificate. However, she did not say when this would come into force.

Jamie Greene, a Scottish Tory MSP, said: “This horrific case fully exposes the recklessness of the SNP’s failure to immediately follow a UK-wide ban on XL bullies.

“SNP ministers were warned of the potential consequences of any delay, and despite being forced into a humiliating U-turn that has sadly come too late for the victims of this brutal attack and led to the shooting of a dog.” 

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The body of the dog which was shot dead by armed officers during an incident at Tinto View in Hamilton on Tuesday Jan 23 was taken for specialist veterinary assessment.

“The animal is described as a large bulldog type dog but it was not possible to establish its specific breed or history from this assessment.”

“Enquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances of the incident.”

The Scottish Government was approached for comment.