Owners of XL Bully dogs are being reminded of upcoming changes introduced in the wake of the death of a Stonnall man.
Ian Price died after being attacked in a garden by two of the animals earlier this year.
The incident and others involving the controversial breed will see the government introduce changes which mean that from 31st December all XL Bully dogs must be muzzled and on a lead in public.
From this date it will also be against the law to sell, abandon, give away or breed the animals.
From 1st February it will be illegal to own an XL Bully in England unless the dog has a valid certificate of exemption.
The RSPCA, which is opposed to the ban, said it was keen to offer support to owners in need of help with the deadlines approaching.
Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the animal charity, said:
“It is so important that owners of an XL Bully start getting prepared for the exemption process as soon as possible.
“As of 1st January, XL Bully dogs will need to be on a lead and muzzled when in a public place so it is critical that owners are working with their dogs to help them get used to this change.
“Owners will then have until 31st January to apply for exemption as after this date it will be illegal to own an XL bully which is not exempted, which sadly means that you could get a criminal record, your dog could be seized and you could face an unlimited fine.”
Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA
Owners can apply for exemption on the Government website. There is a fee of £92.40 per animal and a requirement to have third party public liability insurance for banned breeds.
In order to meet the requirements of the exemption, XL Bully owners will also need to demonstrate that steps have been taken to ensure their animals are neutered, microchipped and cannot escape from the place they are kept.
Dr Gaines said:
“Already, there are anecdotal reports of dogs being surrendered or abandoned across the rescue sector – and we fear as the deadline for the XL Bully dog looms, this problem is going to get worse.
“While we are doing all we can to reassure owners, there remains confusion around how best to interpret the UK Government’s definition of an XL Bully.
“While it is now clearer that minimum height is a mandatory requirement, there has been no guidance to help owners understand what is meant by a substantial number of the other characteristics being used to decide whether or not a dog is considered ‘type’.
“The ban on XL Bully dogs not only remains devastating for so many dogs, but is also taking a heavy toll on owners, on rescue centre staff who have grown close to dogs in their care, and to veterinary teams who face the prospect of being asked to put to sleep healthy dogs whose behaviour poses no risk.
“There is a huge risk that rescue centres and the veterinary profession will not be able to cope with the demands put on them by this law. We urgently need more information and support from the UK Government so that we can help support owners and dogs affected by this ban but we will also need help and support to get through this too.”
Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA