Scotland to 'ban' XL Bullies after dogs are brought from England

Scotland will copy the UK Government's rules on XL Bully dogs, First Minister Humza Yousaf has confirmed.

The SNP leader said the Scottish Government will "replicate" new curbs put in place in England and Wales in the wake of a number of attacks by the breed on people.

Details will be set out as early as next week.

The move comes days after community safety minister Siobhian Brown announced an urgent review was underway, saying Scotland must not be a "safe haven or dumping ground" for dogs brought across the Border.

New rules coming into force there next month make it illegal to own an XL Bully without a certificate of exemption.

Selling, breeding or giving away the dogs has been barred since the turn of the year under changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The move is short of a ban but has been described as such by campaigners opposed to the moves.

They argue that the entire breed does not present a threat and that action should be targeted at individual owners and their pets.

XL Bullies from England have been brought to Scotland for rehoming in light of the regulations.

Yousaf said: "We have seen a flow of XL Bully dogs coming to Scotland; a number of people transferring, coming to Scotland to bring XL Bully dogs here.

"We'll give further details to members of the Scottish Parliament through a ministerial statement, if the Parliamentary Bureau agrees, next week.

"We will in essence replicate the legislation that is in England and Wales here in Scotland because ultimately, although we do have a very good system of dog control notice schemes and we do take the approach of 'deed, not breed', we have to respond to the situation as it currently stands and therefore we will do what we need to do to ensure public safety."