XL Bully campaigners have won a temporary injunction that will stop 240 dogs in rescue homes from being put down after strict new laws came into force on New Year's Eve.
Under the Government's guidelines, XL Bully dogs that arrived in rescue homes since October 31, which had not been rehomed, would have to be killed because they don't qualify for an exemption to stay there.
It was thought an estimated 240 dogs would be destroyed as a result until one rescue centre took an injunction to review the rules.
Carla Lane Animals in Need, a 40-year-old care home in Liverpool, said rescue centres do not have to destroy the dogs from today as many had planned.
A High Court Judge ordered: ‘No XL Bully dog may be seized from a Rehoming Organisation… and/or destroyed for want of or ineligibility for a certification of exemption on grounds that the dog was taken into the RO's care after 31 October 2023 until the further Order of the Court.'
It is now illegal to breed, sell and rehome an XL Bully-type dog and they must be muzzled and kept on lead while in public
An estimated 240 dogs would be destroyed as a result of the new laws
XL Bully dogs have been a source of controversy after several fatal attacks on people in recent years
A complete ban on people owning XL bullies will then come into force on February 1, 2024, unless the owner applies before the end of January for an exemption
In a statement, the 40-year-old Liverpudlian rescue centre said: ‘The law has not been changed but we have been granted some further time for this specific issue to be considered fully by the Court, which means that dogs placed in rescues after 31 October are safe from destruction or seizure FOR NOW.
‘There are various other serious and important matters to be heard by the Court in the near future, but for present purposes this ruling means that rescues now DO NOT AT THE MOMENT PENDING A FURTHER COURT DECISION have to destroy dogs who came into their care after 31 October 2023 on the grounds that it would not be possible for a rescue to apply for exemption of those dogs.
‘We know that some rescues were sadly planning to do so today and whilst we do not yet have any detailed solution, we now have the benefit of some further time for the matter to be considered by the Court.'
XL Bully campaigning group Don't Ban Me Licence Me said the ruling ‘will strengthen' their legal challenge to the laws.
They said: ‘Carla Lane Animals In Need have been successful in securing an injunction for all rescue XL Bully ‘type' dogs who were taken in after October 31 from being seized or destroyed.
‘This is pending a full hearing in January. While this action is separate to our Judicial Review application, this positive outcome will strengthen our case.'
Owners have been sharing images of their XL Bully type dogs in muzzles on social media after the ban was imposed from today
XL BUlly type dogs must be muzzled and kept on a lead under new laws that came in on New Year's Eve
Under new laws which came into effect yesterday, it is now illegal to breed, sell and rehome an XL Bully-type dog and they must be muzzled and kept on lead while in public.
Some owners shared photographs of their animals in their new muzzles, though some say their pets are ‘ripping them off' and refusing to wear them.
However, others were still trying to rehome their animals yesterday, either appearing to think the law is not yet in effect or openly expressing their contempt for the legislation.
It comes as some vets are refusing to put down XL Bully dogs despite new laws that will see a crackdown on the big powerful dogs.
By the start of February it will become a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption.
Dog lovers have been urged to apply for an exemption by the deadline of January 31 or face putting their beloved pets down – but multiple vets are refusing to euthanise the animals.
]The Government is offering Bully XL owners £200 compensation to owners who do not wish to signs up to its scheme to have the dog euthanised, but vets are saying they will not do this.
