XL bully dogs: Humza Yousaf announces Scotland will replicate England ban on dog breed

Humza Yousaf has confirmed Scotland will effectively ‘replicate’ the ban on XL bully dogs introduced for England and Wales

A spokesman for the First Minister was unable to say how many XL bully dogs have been moved north of the border to avoid a ban in England and Wales, despite plans to enact the policy in Scotland.

Humza Yousaf announced during First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) on Thursday plans to “in essence replicate” measures in place south of the border, following reports people have been bringing the animals to Scotland in order to avoid restrictions.

The U-turn comes just six days after Mr Yousaf said he did not think Scotland needed to ban XL bully dogs because it already had a “strict regime” in place.

A ban on XL Bully dogs is set to be introduced in Scotland, following in the footsteps of England and Wales. Picture: Jacob King/PA Wire

Under the recently-enacted UK Government legislation, the breeding, selling and abandonment of the dogs is illegal, while owners need to secure a certificate by February 1.

The certificate involves paying a £92.40 application fee and dogs must also be kept on a lead and muzzled in public.

Speaking to journalists following First Minister’s Questions, a spokesman for Mr Yousaf was asked to provide data on the number of dogs that have crossed the border. He was unable to, suggesting newspaper reports have had an impact on the decision.

In a statement, the Scottish SPCA – the country’s leading animal welfare and rehoming charity – said it has seen no increase in the number of XL bully dogs in its care.

The First Minister’s spokesman said: “These things are always a balance. As the First Minister said in the chamber, we still take the approach of deed, not breed – that’s still the general policy of the Government and has been for a number of years. We’ve got control of dogs notices that exist up here that don’t exist down the road.

“But certainly as the First Minister said in the chamber, we have to deal with the reality that we’re in.

“We’re reading reports that you guys are writing about potentially lots of dogs coming over the border and we have to make sure we have safeguards in place to deal with that.

“It’s a balance and we’ve taken a decision on that balance.”

The campaign group Bully Watch, which has called for action to be taken in Scotland, had estimated between 100 and 200 adult dogs have been transported north of the border.

Confirming the move in Scotland, the First Minister said: “What has become clear, I’m afraid in the last few weeks, is we have seen a flow of XL bully dogs coming to Scotland, a number of people coming to Scotland to bring XL bully dogs here to the country.

“As such, we will give further details to members of the Scottish Parliament through a parliamentary 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 indeed not to 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.”

Scottish community safety minister Siobhian Brown is expected to make a statement laying out the policy in more detail next week.

This week, she told MSPs the matter was being reviewed “urgently” and said it would be “preferable” if people did not purchase XL bullies.

A Scottish SPCA spokesperson said the charity would comply with the decision for Scotland, but remained opposed to a ban of this type on a specific dog type.

Mike Flynn, chief superintendent of the Scottish SPCA, told the BBC: "Obviously, we're a bit shocked, the sudden nature of the change of direction.

"My understanding is that [the Scottish Government] is having to act because of all the media reports of dogs being brought up to Scotland and us being a kind of dumping ground.

"If it is going to go ahead, we would hope to work with the Scottish Government to make sure there's a better system in place for people registering their dogs than there has been down in England and Wales, which has been a total farce to be honest with you."

Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene described the decision as “a humiliating U-turn for Humza Yousaf and the SNP Government”.

"The First Minister and his colleagues have wasted months playing political games and causing worry, only to now announce they will, rightly, replicate the UK Government’s ban anyway,” he said.

“Having picked a needless fight with the UK Government, the SNP appeared blindsided by these dogs being rehomed in Scotland – when everyone else knew it would be the inevitable consequence of their actions.

“SNP ministers’ stubborn refusal to back a sensible UK-wide policy only put lives at risk in Scotland, caused unnecessary confusion and has led to huge repercussions over animal welfare.”

Christine Grahame, an SNP MSP since 1999, told ITV Border: “This Government has been bullied itself into doing this to comply.

“It’s terrified that there could be another attack – and I agree that is something that could happen – and they’ll get the blame.”

Ms Grahame said she was “rebelling” against the policy, saying there was “no way I can subscribe to this”.

Responding to confirmation of the imminent ban in Scotland, Craig Anderson, Scottish secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), said: “Scotland’s postal workers come face the threat of dangerous dogs every day, so any action to make their work safer is to be welcomed, but this announcement is focused on a single breed rather than the widespread problem of bad owners.

"For years the Scottish Government has dragged its heels over meaningful action to improve dog control laws and enforcement, yet this almost tokenistic move has been arrived at in a matter of days.”

“Postal workers deliver vital services for Scotland’s communities and we fully support responsible dog ownership. But our posties should not continue to be put at risk from owners who take no responsibility for their dog’s behaviour and the Scottish Government taking no responsibility for the safety of the public and our posties.”