Fast moving XL Bully legislation has ‘caught everyone off guard without the support’
Islington Animal Welfare Team says that XL Bully legislation is moving too quickly and they have been left with little support to cope with the demand.
The team at Islington Animal Welfare Team say that their XL Bullies will most likely have to be put down.
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An Animal Welfare Team in Islington has said that new government legislation around owning XL Bully dogs has “caught everyone off guard without the support”.
The Government opened applications this week for dog owners to register their XL bullies before the breed is made illegal.
Owners wishing to keep their dogs must apply to be part of the exemption scheme or opt to have their dogs euthanised and apply for compensation.
It will be illegal to own an XL bully from February 1 2024 unless the animal is on an the exempt list, called the Index of Exempted Dogs.
Those wanting to keep their dogs have until the end of January to register them with the exempt list, and will then be forced to comply with strict requirements.
This will include the requirement to muzzle them and keep them on a lead in public. The dogs must also be microchipped and neutered.
Owners without a certificate of exemption will face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL bully as of February 1, and their dog could be seized.
Leon Meredith from Islington Animal Welfare Team said he supports plans to ban the breed in principle but that they are not getting enough support in fulfilling this new law.
He said that he has found the animal welfare world is having to work together “to try and pick up this mess that’s been created by introducing legislation without backup too fast”.
Mr Meredith told CityNews that they had been inundated with calls around arranging drops off of the breed or inquiries about the process.
The centre was so busy that they had to close their services last weekend which he said they’ve never had to do before.
Islington Animal Welfare Team covers six London Boroughs and they feel that the government has not been clear in its messaging.
“To register your dog only went live [this week] yet they released this information that you need to register your dog six weeks ago, we’ve been getting calls on how you do this and we don’t know” they said.
Mr Meredith hopes there will be a judicial challenge to slow the process so that they can cope better.
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HeadlineFast moving XL Bully legislation has ‘caught everyone off guard without the support’
Short HeadlineXL Bully legislation has 'caught everyone off guard'
StandfirstIslington Animal Welfare Team says that XL Bully legislation is moving too quickly and they have been left with little support to cope with the demand.
An Animal Welfare Team in Islington has said that new government legislation around owning XL Bully dogs has “caught everyone off guard without the support”.
The Government opened applications this week for dog owners to register their XL bullies before the breed is made illegal.
Owners wishing to keep their dogs must apply to be part of the exemption scheme or opt to have their dogs euthanised and apply for compensation.
It will be illegal to own an XL bully from February 1 2024 unless the animal is on an the exempt list, called the Index of Exempted Dogs.
Those wanting to keep their dogs have until the end of January to register them with the exempt list, and will then be forced to comply with strict requirements.
This will include the requirement to muzzle them and keep them on a lead in public. The dogs must also be microchipped and neutered.
Owners without a certificate of exemption will face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL bully as of February 1, and their dog could be seized.
Leon Meredith from Islington Animal Welfare Team said he supports plans to ban the breed in principle but that they are not getting enough support in fulfilling this new law.
He said that he has found the animal welfare world is having to work together “to try and pick up this mess that’s been created by introducing legislation without backup too fast”.
Mr Meredith told CityNews that they had been inundated with calls around arranging drops off of the breed or inquiries about the process.
The centre was so busy that they had to close their services last weekend which he said they’ve never had to do before.
Islington Animal Welfare Team covers six London Boroughs and they feel that the government has not been clear in its messaging.
“To register your dog only went live [this week] yet they released this information that you need to register your dog six weeks ago, we’ve been getting calls on how you do this and we don’t know” they said.
Mr Meredith hopes there will be a judicial challenge to slow the process so that they can cope better.
