Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has announced Scotland will ban XL bully dogs just days after new laws were rolled out across England and Wales.
Speaking at First Minister's Questions today, Yousaf confirmed the decision to replicate the Dangerous Dogs Act will be taken soon.
He also revealed there had been an influx of the dangerous muds brought north of the border.
Yousaf said: "What has become clear, I'm afraid in the last few weeks, is that we have seen a flow of XL bully dogs coming to Scotland, a number of people coming to Scotland to bring XL bully dogs here to the country.
XL Bully (right) with insets of Yousaf and protesters
PA
"As such, we will give further details to members of the Scottish Parliament through a ministerial statement if the Parliamentary Bureau agrees next week.
"We will, in essence, replicate the legislation that is in England and Wales here in Scotland because ultimately, although we do have a very good system of dog control notice schemes, and we do take the approach of deed not breed, we have to respond to the situation as it currently stands and therefore we will do what we need to do to ensure public safety."
The announcement will come as a blow to XL bully owners north of the border.
Yousaf appeared to suggest he would not follow Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's lead last week.
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Humza YousafGETTYThe First Minister said: "We are monitoring the situation, keeping close to those on the ground. We have a very controlled and quite tight regime when it comes to the management of animals, control of dogs, and that is something that is quite unique in Scotland compared to other parts of the UK.
"We are keeping the potential ban under review. We don't think it is required but it is something we keep under continual review."
Sunak announced a ban in England and Wales following a spate of attacks which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.
An XL bully lover responded to the ban by transporting as many as 30 pooches north of the border.
Protesters hold a banner which states 'Don't bully my bully' during the demonstration in WhitehallPASammy Wilkinson raised over £10,000 in a campaign to rehome the dogs hundreds of miles away from his Black Country home in Tipton.
However, ahead of Yousaf's announcement, Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown had already warned against buying XL bully dogs "at the present time".
It had been claimed the decision taken by Sunak led to an "influx" of the dangerous dogs coming to Scotland.
XL bullies were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act on October 31, 2023.
Owners in England and Wales were given two months to prepare for restrictions.
An XL Bully (File Pic)WikiCommonsThe dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled when out in public.
Selling, breeding, abandoning or giving them away is also now illegal.
Owners have until January 31 to apply for an exemption certificate to keep their dog.
They will also need to have it neutered, microchipped and insured.
Owners in England and Wales without an exemption will have to euthanise their dog or face a possible criminal record and fine.
