Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th February 2024
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Homes sought for XL bully dogs before law changes
Duchess, a three year-old XL bully, is among the dogs looking for a new home.
It will become illegal to rehome an XL bully in Scotland from 23 February.

The Scottish SPCA is urgently seeking new owners for four XL bully type dogs in its care before it becomes illegal to rehome them.

Two of the dogs in the charity’s care, Duchess and Praline, have been assessed as meeting the physical conformation standards of an XL bully. Paddington and Lex are still waiting to be fully assessed, but are believed to meet the criteria.

All four of the dogs have been microchipped, neutered and undergone health checks and behavioural assessments.

Jennie Macdonald, the charity’s head of rehoming, fostering and community engagement, said: “The process of ensuring they are ready for rehoming has been ongoing for some months while the situation in Scotland has been unclear.”

Although a ban on the breed was first announced by the UK government for England and Wales in September 2023, it wasn’t until January 2024 that the Scottish government said that it would introduce similar legislation.

From 23 February, it will be against the law in Scotland to rehome, breed, sell, exchange, gift, advertise, abandon, or allow an XL bully to stray. Owners will also have to follow new rules when their dog is in a public place. From 31 July 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.

Claire Haynes, head of animal behaviour at the Scottish SPCA, said: “The new registered owners will be required to obtain a certificate of exemption and to comply with all necessary legal requirements, which will include keeping the dog on a lead and muzzled at all times when out in public, including in a car, and maintaining third party insurance.

“We continue to call for the principle of Deed not Breed to be applied, and for the outdated Dangerous Dogs legislation to be overhauled. Any breed of dog can be potentially out of control and dangerous in the wrong hands.”

Image © Scottish SPCA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.