Meet the man driving across the country to ‘rescue’ XL bully dogs

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An XL bully lover driving 250 miles a day to rehome dozens of the dogs says some homeowners are cruelly abandoning the breed after a authorities ban got here on this week.

Sammy Wilkinson hit the headlines after taking 35 of the banned dogs to new properties since October, racking up to 6,000 miles with journeys to so far as Scotland from his West Midlands residence.

But the 29-year-old tanning salon proprietor has informed The Independent that his job has change into tougher with irresponsible homeowners ditching their pets.

He’s found three deserted in the space round his residence in Tipton, whereas serving to rescue one other present in an emancipated state in a cage exterior a automobile wash.

It comes after one XL bully was discovered tied up and set on fireplace in Carshalton in south London.

“Whether the owners have left it too late or they have panicked, we’ve already seen a rise in XL bully dogs being abandoned in the area,” Mr Wilkinson stated. “It’s heartbreaking and is just another sign that the government ban on breeds just isn’t the right way to tackle the issue.”

The authorities launched a ban on XL bully dogs in a bid to sort out an increase in assaults. From 1 January, it’s unlawful to promote or purchase the breed in England and Wales, while homeowners will need to have them stored on a leash and muzzle whereas exterior.

It comes earlier than a whole ban on the breed from 1 February, though these with exemption certificates – which require the canine to be insured and neutered – can hold the pets.

The change in regulation has led to a scramble amongst homeowners wanting to both apply for certificates or rehome their pets. In response, Mr Wilkinson provided to assist individuals rehome the dogs and has since made journeys across the country.

On New Year’s Eve he was pictured driving two dogs to a brand new residence in Scotland, the place the ban doesn’t apply. On Friday he drove one canine to County Durham, and on Tuesday he’s heading to Carlisle for a “meet and greet” forward of a possible rehoming.

“I’ve got people coming to me every few minutes,” he stated. “Owners are desperate and I wish I could help more of them.”

But some homeowners, in accordance to Mr Wilkinson, are merely ditching the pets.

On Thursday night time, he helped rescue a canine stored in a cage exterior a automobile wash in Dudley Port. He’s additionally discovered three XL bully dogs deserted, together with one close to a canal in Darlaston and one other caught after a two-day search in Wednesbury.

The ban on the breed confronted robust opposition, together with from the RSPCA which as a substitute referred to as on the authorities ought to usher in canine licencing with coaching for homeowners to deliver down the variety of assaults.

As canine properties stopped taking in the breed, the charity had stated anticipated an increase in deserted dogs.

Mr Wilklinson stated: “The government has caught the wrong end of the lead. The dogs are born as a blank slate, it is up to the owners to carve them into the right sculpture. It is unfair for us to mark out a particular breed.”

Environment secretary Steve Barclay stated: “The prime minister pledged to take quick and decisive action to protect the public from devastating dog attacks with measures in place by the end 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.”