Man drives 200 miles to Scottish Borders to save XL Bully dogs before ban

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An XL Bully lover drove greater than 200 miles on New 12 months’s Eve to rehome canines in Scotland – simply hours earlier than a ban on the breed was launched in England and Wales.

From midnight on Sunday, 31 December, American XL bullies have to be muzzled and saved on a lead in public. It’s now additionally unlawful to breed, promote, promote, present, change, and abandon the canines or allow them to stray.

It comes earlier than a ban on the breed with out an excemption certificates in February.

The change in laws has gone by way of Parliament regardless of sturdy opposition, together with from charities and canine house owners who say a restriction based mostly on breeds is not going to deal with an increase in assaults.

Amongst these in opposition to the ban is Sammy Wilkinson, from Tipton within the Black Nation, West Midlands. He’s taken round 30 of the canines for rehoming to Scotland, the place the change in legislation doesn’t apply.

On New 12 months’s Eve, simply hours earlier than the ban, he shared an image on social media with him in a automotive with two canines. He wrote: “I’m completely exhausted and my automotive is falling aside however you’re not killing these Rishi Sunak, now it’s a race to the Scottish Border earlier than midnight.”

Help has are available Mr Wilkinson from throughout the nation. A Go Fund Me web page set as much as assist him has raised nearly £9,000. Organiser Lisa wrote: “I’m placing this fundraiser collectively for Sammy Wilkinson. In hope that we will increase some cash to assist Sammy in saving much more XL Bullies.

“Sammy is presently driving Day and Night time from the Black Nation to Scotland, every time taking a bunch of XL bullies with him and discovering them new houses in Scotland.About 30 canines to this point he’s saved and he’s nonetheless going!

“Sammy will proceed to do that for so long as he can. Please everybody let’s assist him and lets assist save extra XL Bullies.”

In response to the cash raised, Mr Wilkinson posted on his social media on Tuesday night that the cash can be used to assist individuals apply for exemption certificates and muzzles for his or her XL Bullys.

He added: “Regardless of how little you gave, simply know you’re massively appreciated and if it wasn’t for individuals such as you supplying the frontlines from behind the scenes none of this may be attainable.”

XL Bullies joined American pitbull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinos and fila Brasileiros on the listing of banned breeds on the Harmful Canine Act.

The choice to outlaw possession got here after an increase in canine assaults. However many have mentioned the breeds are to not blame, and have known as on the federal government to as an alternative deal with house owners, canine licencing and coaching.

From 1 February, XL Bully house owners will want a certificates of exemption which must be utilized for earlier than 31 January.

Atmosphere secretary Steve Barclay mentioned: ‘The Prime Minister pledged to take fast and decisive motion to guard the general public from devastating canine assaults with measures in place by the tip of 2023.

“We have now met that pledge – it’s now a authorized requirement for XL Bully canines to be muzzled and on a lead in public. Additionally it is now unlawful to breed, promote, promote, present, change, abandon or let XL Bully canines stray.”