'Huge risk' warning issued as Government ban on XL bullys looms

A 'huge risk' warning has been issued as the Government ban on XL bulldogs looms. The RSPCA believes it, and other animal rescue centres, will be inundated with abandoned dogs when the ban comes in on December 31.

From this date the dogs must be muzzled in public and it will be illegal to breed, sell or abandon them, although owners can ask a vet to put them down and claim compensation, the ECHO reports.

Owners will need to apply for an exemption to keep their dogs after February 1 2023. The RSPCA, which opposes the ban, has warned that vets and rescue centres across the country are already seeing an increase in the abandoned breed and that many may be unable to cope with the rising demand.

READ MORE 'His only thought was to destroy evidence': Evil hit-and-run driver left gran for dead then walked back to the scene and posed as bystander

READ MORE Passengers stuck in Tenerife after 'chaotic' 24-hour flight delay as plane back to Manchester suddenly diverts

It comes after the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) warned of increased abandonment rates and said the new rules may lead to a "postcode lottery" for vets being able to help owners meet the terms.

Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: "We have long campaigned against breed-specific legislation, which bans dogs simply due to the way they look. This has failed to effectively protect the public and animal's welfare and has seen countless dogs who have not shown aggression lose their lives.

"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. There is a huge risk that rescue centres and the