Thousands of XL bully owners have been told they will not need to put down their dogs when a ban on the breed comes into force next year.
Government department Defra has revealed it has already received more than 4,000 applications from people wanting an exemption – and confirmed to Sky News the “majority” had been approved.
There are less than two weeks to go before the first in a series of new rules surrounding the animals, which are being phased in over the coming months, come into force.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the restrictions on XL bullies earlier this year after branding the breed a “danger to communities” following a string of attacks on humans – including some that were fatal.
From 31 December, XL bully dogs will no longer be allowed out in public unless they are muzzled and placed on a lead.
Breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing one of the dogs to stray will also become illegal in England and Wales from that date.
A complete ban on people owning XL bullies will then come into force on 1 February 2024 – unless the owner applies before the end of January – just six weeks away – for an exemption which would allow them to keep their pet.
An exemption certificate can only be obtained if a household agrees to comply with a strict set of rules, including having the animals microchipped.
The dogs will also need to be neutered by 30 June, unless they are under one year old.
Defra has not said exactly how many dogs have been granted an exemption so far.
But a spokesperson confirmed: “[The] majority of applications are successful and the majority of successful applicants are receiving their certificates in less than a week.”
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Owners who are not granted an exemption can claim £200 towards the cost of their pet being euthanised by a vet. Rescue and rehoming…
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2023-12-17 14:47:00
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