Fury as SNP says they WON’T ban deadly XL bully dogs

• Backlash as Scotland refuses to follow Westminster’s crackdown on killer animals 
• Critics say Scottish ministers are risking people’s lives by failing to act 

Nationalist MSPs have been accused of gambling with Scots’ lives after refusing to sign up to the Prime Minister’s ban on XL Bully dogs.

Scottish ministers have officially turned down a request from the UK Government to comply with the fast-tracked crackdown being implemented south of the Border.

Yesterday, the Scottish Government was warned it was ‘increasing the risk to Scots’ from the powerfully built dogs.

Following a series of fatal attacks, Rishi Sunak announced the ban last September – the same month 52-year-old Ian Price was mauled to death by two XL Bullies as he tried to protect his elderly mother in Stonnal, Staffordhsire.

Campaign group Bully Watch has said that as well as a host of mauling incidents, Britain has seen 11 confirmed deaths and three suspected deaths caused by the breed since 2021 alone.

In November last year, Jack Lis, ten, was killed by an XL while at a friend’s house in south Wales. In July 2022, mother-of-two Joanne Robinson, 43, was killed when her American Bully XL turned on her in in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Powerful XL Bully dogs have carried out horrific attacks

Professional dog walker Ian Symes, 34, was mauled to death by an XL Bully in Fareham, Hampshire, last year, just a day after his friend had bought the dog.

There have also been a series of horrific attacks in Scotland involving XL Bullies.

Last month, a court heard how one mauled three children in Forfar in a matter of weeks. Also, in October a teenager was set upon by his own dog in Motherwell and required emergency surgery. In September an owner in Dundee had her thumb bitten while her husband was also badly mauled. From December 31, in England and Wales, it will be illegal to sell, abandon, breed or give away a Bully XL, or have one in public without a lead or muzzle.

In addition, Bullies that are less than one year old must be neutered by December 31, 2024.

From February, owners must have an exemption certificate costing £92.40 per dog. They will also need third party insurance cover or face up to 14 years in jail.

However, the new rules will not apply in Scotland, despite fears it could become a ‘dumping ground’ for unwanted dogs.

Jack Lis, aged ten was killed by an American Bulldog while playing with a friend

Mother-of-two Joanne Robinson, 43, was killed by her £4,000 American Bully XL dog, Rocco

Ian Price, 52, suffered life-threatening injuries after being attacked by XL Bullies

Ian Symes, 34, died while walking in a children’s park in Fareham he was mauled by the XL American Bulldog he was walking

Victims and community safety minister Siobhian Brown has written to the UK Government, stating the Scottish Government will not apply the new measures.

Her letter said the Scottish Government backed the ‘proportionate approach’ of dog control notices being served on owners who allow their animals to be out of control.

But she also argued that it was up to the UK Government to ensure that no XL Bullies were abandoned over the Border.

Scottish Tory Justice spokesman Russell Findlay claimed the SNP was gambling with lives and said: ‘Given the spate of horrific incidents, the evidence for a ban in Scotland is surely staring SNP ministers in the face.

‘Her refusal to sign up to this sensible plan can only increase the risk to Scots.

‘It seems likely that the SNP are yet again picking a constitutional fight with the UK Government.’

He added: ‘For her to then demand that these dogs do not end up in Scotland is tacit admission of the danger they pose. The SNP must stop pathetic posturing and put public safety first.’

Ms Brown also complained that the Scottish Government was given no notice of the ban.

Her letter to Lord Benyon, the UK rural affairs minister, said: ‘It is important that any change in this area in Scotland is based on evidence. We have been carefully considering the evidence on XL Bully dogs and whether similar changes to ban this breed should be applied in Scotland.’

She said existing dog control notices issued by councils are ‘an essential part of helping keep communities safe’ and are a ‘proportionate approach’.

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