What you should do if you see a XL bully dog without a lead or muzzle in public in Scotland, as new laws start

Scots are being told to report any safety concerns around XL bully dogs to the police, as new laws come into force.

It is now illegal for Scots to own an XL bully dog without an exemption certificate, as new rules started from August 1. 

The deadline to apply for an exemption certificate was July 31. However, all those who applied by this deadline are exempt from this new legislation, even if the exemption certificate has not yet been issued.

According to Scottish Government guidance, anyone who sees a suspected XL bully dog without a lead or a muzzle in a public place should report this to the police. Immediate safety concerns around XL bully dogs should also be reported directly to Police Scotland.

Any general concerns around the behaviour of a dog should be reported to local authority dog wardens.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Officers will continue to respond to any report expressing concern about a potentially dangerous breed of dog and take the appropriate action to ensure public safety and minimise the risk to the public, as well as our officers and staff.”

Restrictions on breeding, selling, exchanging, gifting, advertising, rehoming, abandoning or allowing XL bully dogs to stray have already been in place in Scotland since February 23.

Owners must also have their dogs neutered, microchipped and muzzled and on a lead when in public, including when in a car. Anyone found to be breaching these rules could face a fine of up to £5.000 and up to six months imprisonment.

The new rules banning owning an XL bully dog without an exemption certificate follows similar legislation, which has already been brought in south of the border. It has been an offence to own an XL bully dog without an exemption certificate in England and Wales since February 1.

Similarly, all XL bully dogs in England and Wales need to be neutered, microchipped and muzzled and on a lead when in public.