The Scottish Government is set to introduce a ban on American XL bullies, following similar laws in England and Wales, as it warned Scots against aquiring the dogs.
It comes as charities warned owners down south not to attempt to bring their pets north of the border to rehome them after a new law banned owners from selling, breeding or rehoming the breed from December 31.
But there is already a Facebook group with 20,000 members discussing rehoming XL bullies in Scotland with the Government saying there has been an influx of the animals being brought across the border.
Owners in England and Wales have been urged to register their pets by January 31, as the breed will become illegal from February 1.
There will be exemptions for pets who are registered, neutered, microchipped, and have a muzzle and lead on in public.
On Monday, the Scottish SPCA urged owners not to attempt to rehome their pets in Scotland ahead of the introduction of the new law.
It is feared owners are making use of a legal “loophole”, allowing them to rehome their XL bullies in another country such as Scotland without fear of prosecution.
But the Scottish Government is poised to bring a ban of its own into legislation with the public warned against acquiring “any such dog at the present time”.
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Scottish Government set to ban XL bully dogs
On Tuesday, the Scottish Conservatives urged the SNP not to delay plans to ban the breed.
“I would not want to be the minister in charge of any policy who dithered and delayed a day longer than is necessary on this issue and another tragedy occurs,” said Tory MSP Jamie Greene .
Community safety minister Siobhan Brown said she had been “concerned” by reports of XL bullies being brought to Scotland as the matter was raised at Holyrood.
Brown said: “The unintended consequences of the UK Government’s policy is that we’re now seeing influx of XL bully dogs coming to Scotland.
“It is important to ensure Scotland does not become a safe haven or a dumping ground for the XL bully dogs from England and Wales.
“It would be preferable not to acquire any such dog at the present time in Scotland.”
Ministers are “urgently reviewing” the policy on XL bullies, she said, adding that “public safety will be paramount in our deliberations”.
Greene responded, saying: “The unintended consequences we’re seeing are not a result of UK legislation, but as a result of this Scottish Government failing to take action.”
The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs has been contacted for comment.
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