NEW rules for XL Bully dogs are expected to come into effect in Scotland on Friday and owners are being urged to get ready.

It will be illegal to sell, advertise, gift or exchange XL Bully dogs, or let them stray.

Owners will also be required to ensure XL Bully dogs are muzzled and on a lead when in a public place.

The rules are the first stage of a crackdown after concerns following a number of attacks involving the breed.

Tougher rules on owning XL Bully dogs have already been put in place for England and Wales by the UK government and there were fears that dogs would be shipped across the border to Scotland to escape the legislation.

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Siobhian Brown, minister for victims and community safety, said: “With new safeguards for XL Bully dogs coming into force in just a few days it’s vital that owners get ready and prepare from them now.

“Whilst dog attacks remain a rare occurrence, where they do occur, they can have devastating consequences which is why safeguards must be introduced.

“We are doing so whilst ensuring we promote and support responsible ownership, and public safety as effectively as possible.

“The new regulations aim to protect public safety and are being introduced as a consequence of similar XL Bully controls brought in by the UK Government, which created an unacceptable risk of dogs being moved to Scotland from England and Wales.”

Anyone found guilty of breaching the rules could face six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000.

Later this year a second set of laws will be enforced which will mean from August it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog without an exemption certificate or having applied for an exemption certificate.

The Scottish Government said details of the exemption applications process will be announced in the coming weeks.  

The Scottish SPCA said it was “disappointed” with the new rules and said caring owners will be worried about costs,  police and councils concerned about resources and vets face the “heartbreak” of having to “put to sleep healthy dogs, simply because of the way they look”.

READ: Full SSPCA statement here

Mike Flynn, Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent, said: “We recognise that the Scottish Government feel that they have had little choice in implementing these ‘safeguards’, but we are concerned that these regulations are being rushed through. We are reviewing next steps when it comes to XL bullies currently in our care. 

"We fully support legislation to protect the public, and we are deeply concerned about the rise in dog control related incidents, but the Scottish SPCA has long opposed restrictions that focus specifically on certain types of dogs. 

“We know that any breed of dog can be potentially out of control and dangerous in the wrong hands. 

"We need action and solutions that protect the public as well as safeguarding animal welfare, but banning dogs because of the way they look isn’t the answer. We do not want to have the same conversation next year about plans to ban yet another type of dog.”