Humza Yousaf ‘forced into U-turn’ over American XL bully dogs ban

Humza Yousaf has banned XL bully dogs two months after he was warned by Westminster that not doing so would turn Scotland into a “dumping ground” for the dangerous pets.

The SNP first minister, who said last week that a ban was “not required”, told MSPs on Thursday that an influx of the dogs over the border had forced the Scottish government’s hand.

Replicating the ban in England and Wales, which was announced in September and came into force at the start of the new year, will involve adding the XL bullies to the proscribed list of dog breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Unlike other dogs already on the list, such as the pit bull terrier and Japanese tosa, which are illegal to own,