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 Year’s Eve to rehome dogs in Scotland – simply hours before a ban on the breed was launched in England and Wales.

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

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

The change in laws has gone by Parliament regardless of sturdy opposition, together with from charities and canine homeowners who say a restriction primarily based on breeds won’t sort out an increase in assaults.

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

On New Year’s Eve, simply hours before the ban, he shared an image on social media with him in a automobile with two dogs. He wrote: “I’m absolutely exhausted and my car is falling apart but you’re not killing these Rishi Sunak, now it’s a race to the Scottish Border before midnight.”

Support has are available Mr Wilkinson from throughout the nation. A Go Fund Me web page arrange to assist him has raised nearly £9,000. Organiser Lisa wrote: “I’m putting this fundraiser together for Sammy Wilkinson. In hope that we can raise some money to help Sammy in saving even more XL Bullies.

“Sammy is currently driving Day and Night from the Black Country to Scotland, each time taking a group of XL bullies with him and finding them new homes in Scotland.About 30 dogs so far he’s saved and he’s still going!

“Sammy will continue to do this for as long as he can. Please everyone let’s support him and lets help save more 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: “No matter how little you gave, just know you are hugely appreciated and if it wasn’t for people like you supplying the frontlines from behind the scenes none of this would be possible.”

XL Bullys joined American pitbull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinos and fila Brasileiros on the listing of banned breeds on the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The resolution to outlaw possession got here after a rise in canine assaults. But many have mentioned the breeds are usually not to blame, and have referred to as on the federal government to as an alternative give attention to homeowners, canine licencing and coaching.

From 1 February, XL Bully homeowners will want a certificates of exemption which have to be utilized for before 31 January.

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

“We have met that pledge – it is now a legal requirement for XL Bully dogs to be muzzled and on a lead in public. It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.”