SCOTLAND’S Community Safety minister has set out the details of new rules for XL bully dogs in a statement to MSPs.
Siobhian Brown told the Holyrood chamber that owners of the breed will have to make a decision whether or not to keep their dogs, or apply for an exemption certificate.
The new rules will “replicate” the safeguards brought in by the UK Government in England and Wales after a number of attacks.
It means that the potentially dangerous dog breed will need to be muzzled or kept on a lead in public.
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Those who decide not to keep their dogs will be able to apply for compensation.
In a ministerial statement on Thursday, Brown said: “This decision was a decision that was not taken lightly.”
She added: “As the First Minister set out last week, the UK Government failed to act to stop dog owners in England and Wales evade the new controls by bringing their dogs to Scotland.
“That changed the balance of whether we needed to act here in Scotland.
“Presiding Officer, these are exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves. It means that it is now right and proper that we replicate the controls being implemented south of the border.”
Brown (above) insisted that this did not mean the Scottish Government was moving away from the “deed not breed” approach to dog ownership.
“I can confirm that the SG will be looking to in the medium term engage with key stakeholders and interested parties to look at potential improvements to the 2010 act that could enhance and strengthen the general preventative dog notice regime in Scotland,” Brown added.
“We recognise the vast majority of dog owners are responsible dog owners and will want to keep their XL bully dogs and comply with safeguards when they are introduced.”
Brown insisted that the rules were “safeguards” and not a complete ban on the breed.
When will the rules be introduced?
Subject to parliamentary approval, she said the rules would be introduced in two stages.
First, at a date still to be announced, it will become an offence in Scotland to sell, abandon, let stray, or give away an XL bully dog, as well breed from them.
All XL bullies in public must be on a lead or a muzzle.
The second stage will set a deadline for owners who wish to keep their dog to be added to an “exemption index”.
After this date, also to be announced in the coming period, it will be an offence to own an XL bully unless you have an exemption certificate or applied for one.
Brown said she wanted owners to “make an informed decision” and those who decide not to keep their dogs or have them euthanised will be compensated, the amount of which will be set out in regulations.
For context, Brown added, the equivalent in England and Wales to apply for an exemption is £92.40, while £100 or £200 is paid out for the loss of a dog.
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