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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th February 2024
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Homes sought for XL bully dogs before law changes
Duchess, a three year-old XL bully, is among the dogs looking for a new home.
It will become illegal to rehome an XL bully in Scotland from 23 February.

The Scottish SPCA is urgently seeking new owners for four XL bully type dogs in its care before it becomes illegal to rehome them.

Two of the dogs in the charity’s care, Duchess and Praline, have been assessed as meeting the physical conformation standards of an XL bully. Paddington and Lex are still waiting to be fully assessed, but are believed to meet the criteria.

All four of the dogs have been microchipped, neutered and undergone health checks and behavioural assessments.

Jennie Macdonald, the charity’s head of rehoming, fostering and community engagement, said: “The process of ensuring they are ready for rehoming has been ongoing for some months while the situation in Scotland has been unclear.”

Although a ban on the breed was first announced by the UK government for England and Wales in September 2023, it wasn’t until January 2024 that the Scottish government said that it would introduce similar legislation.

From 23 February, it will be against the law in Scotland to rehome, breed, sell, exchange, gift, advertise, abandon, or allow an XL bully to stray. Owners will also have to follow new rules when their dog is in a public place. From 31 July 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.

Claire Haynes, head of animal behaviour at the Scottish SPCA, said: “The new registered owners will be required to obtain a certificate of exemption and to comply with all necessary legal requirements, which will include keeping the dog on a lead and muzzled at all times when out in public, including in a car, and maintaining third party insurance.

“We continue to call for the principle of Deed not Breed to be applied, and for the outdated Dangerous Dogs legislation to be overhauled. Any breed of dog can be potentially out of control and dangerous in the wrong hands.”

Image © Scottish SPCA

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.