XL Bully - New Law Coming Into Force:
New rules will come into force on 23 February 2024 - subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.
It will be an offence in Scotland to:
- have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle
- breed or breed from an XL Bully dog
- sell an XL Bully dog
- abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
- give away an XL Bully dog
It will be illegal to rehome, sell, buy, or transfer ownership of an XL Bully dog to another person. Rehoming organisations can not rehome XL Bully dogs.
The definition used for an XL Bully dog is the same as the
UK Government.
If you are not sure if a dog in your care is an XL Bully, use the DEFRA GOV guide to check if a dog is an XL Bully. If you are still unsure about your dog after doing this, it is recommended that you should follow the rules in the guide as a precaution.
Exemption certificates from 31 July 2024:
From 31 July 2024 you must have an exemption certificate -
or have applied for one - to own an XL Bully dog.
Full details about the exemption certificate scheme
including the start date, costs and how to apply will be announced soon - the
Scottish Government has not yet announced how owners will be able to apply for a
Certificate of Exemption.
