Dog behaviour expert Nanci Creedon has warned on GB News that new XL bully rules coming into force today will give a “false sense of security”.
It is now a criminal offence to own the breed in Scotland without an exemption certificate or having applied for one.
Creedon told Ellie Costello and Stephen Dixon that while a ban is the right way to go, she is unsure how effective it will be.
“There’s two angles to look at this. If we were being sensible and listening to the experts and putting together legislation based on science and animal behaviour, we would have an entirely different picture when looking at the legislation”, she said.
Nanci Creedon issued a warning
PA / GB NEWS
“However, when we’re not doing anything with the legislation to protect people, a ban is better than nothing in so far as the only decent data we have is an overwhelming amount of dog attacks are coming from XL bullies.
“If we’re not going to do anything sensible, we at least need to find a way to minimise this from happening.
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“It’s just a shame that in 2024, when we have so many highly educated dog experts out there, they’re not being listened to properly because this is a knee jerk.
“If we had a mandatory training programme that all dog owners had to go through, we would have a proper understanding of dog behaviour.
“If we had legislation that perhaps put a ban on owning a dog over a certain weight if you have been convicted of a dangerous crime, perhaps that might be a way of minimising dangerous people owning dogs that could be used as a weapon.
“We have dangerous people breeding dangerous dogs encouraging them to behave dangerously.”
XL Bullies have been banned (stock pic)GettySpeaking on the overall idea of banning certain dog breeds, Creedon argued it is not necessarily the best way forward but it could pose a short term solution.
“It’s a really tricky one”, she said.
“It’s one that if nothing is going to be done, then in the most uncomfortable way I somewhat welcome a ban.
“But it’s by far not the best angle to be coming from.”
XL bully dogs were required to keep their pet on a lead and muzzled when out in public in the first phase of the new rules introduced by the Scottish government.
Those convicted of breaching the safeguards could face up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £5,000.
A Scottish government spokesperson said: "The scheme is necessary to allow for XL bully owners to legally keep their dogs in the long term, while agreeing to adhere to the necessary safeguards that will help reduce any risks to public safety."
Holyrood is replicating regulations introduced in Westminster, implemented in England and Wales, after a spate of violent attacks by the breed leaving people dead and injured.