New laws laid for consideration in the Scottish Parliament will make it illegal to sell, advertise, gift or exchange XL Bully dogs, or letting such dogs stray. XL Bully dog owners will also be required to ensure their dog is muzzled and on a lead while in a public place.

In addition, from 1 August 2024, it will be an offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate or having applied for an exemption certificate. Full details on the exemption applications process and the support available will be announced in the coming weeks.

Siobhian Brown, the minister for victims and community safety, said: “With new safeguards for XL Bully dogs coming into force in just a few days it’s vital that owners get ready and prepare from them now.

“Whilst dog attacks remain a rare occurrence, where they do occur, they can have devastating consequences which is why safeguards must be introduced. We are doing so whilst ensuring we promote and support responsible ownership, and public safety as effectively as possible.

“The new regulations aim to protect public safety and are being introduced as a consequence of similar XL Bully controls brought in by the UK government, which created an unacceptable risk of dogs being moved to Scotland from England and Wales.”

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has criticised the legislation as it does not support any measures targeting specific breeds of dogs, though said it will seek to make the new rules work.

“We will be working with the Scottish government in the hope that the ban in Scotland will be workable and enforceable, and handled better in Scotland than happened in England and Wales,” SSPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said last month.

“In particular, we’re calling on the government to put in place an effective public information and education campaign to help caring owners understand how to exempt their dogs.”