An XL bully dog from England has been found tied to a lamppost after being abandoned ahead of a ban on the breed coming into force in Scotland.
It will now become an offence to breed, sell, exchange, gift, advertise, abandon or allow a XL bully to stray from Friday, February 23.
The dogs must also be muzzled and on a lead in public, including in a car.
Fears had previously been raised by animal campaigners over the safety of dogs brought across the border after the First Minister announced a ban would match the one in England and Wales.
In January, after the UK Government announced tighter restrictions on the breed, there was an increase in the transportation of XL bully puppies and dogs across the border.
Edinburgh Cat and Dog HomeEdinburgh Dog and Cat Home is trying to find a home for two-year-old XL bully Kira who was found abandoned and tied to a lamppost at Musselburgh Lagoons.
Because she was chipped, the original owner was tracked back to Huddersfield, Yorkshire, and had rehomed Kira to someone in Berwick due to the ban in England.
The Scottish SPCA is seeking homes for two dogs confirmed to meet the characteristics of XL bullies, and two other dogs which might meet the physical conformation standard.
Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, the CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “We’re living in fear of what happens after the date that the ban is brought in and desperately searching for a home because there is a ticking clock over her head and concern about those dogs who have been brought from England to Scotland.
“We are essentially acting as a clean up crew in Scotland and preparing for how we deal that.
“The ban is the worst thing that could have happened on top of the cost of living crisis we are facing and is masking over the real issue of dog control problems in our community amongst a variety of breeds.
“The cost of living is one thing but we are also dealing with lockdown dogs, our kennels are full of them and they are not socialised and terrified.”
The Scottish SPCA branded the Dangerous Dogs Act “outdated” and said any dog could be “out of control and dangerous”, describing the four dogs seeking homes as thriving with training and affection.
From February 23, it will be legal to own an XL bully dog but owners must ensure their dogs are muzzled and on a lead when in a public place.
Stage two will come into force from July 31 and will make it an offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate or having applied for an exemption certificate.
This means existing XL bully dog owners will need to consider whether they want to keep their dogs and, if so, will have to apply and pay for an exemption permit by that date.
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