Dogs

Proposals to introduce a strict licensing framework for canine fertility businesses have been announced. The planned licensing scheme aims to clamp down on unethical breeding practices, regulate the services offered, ensure higher standards of care and protect animal welfare.

XL Bully owners have until midnight Wednesday 31 July to apply for an exemption certificate ahead of new laws coming into force. From Thursday this week it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate or having applied for an exemption certificate.

XL Bully dog owners are being reminded to apply for an exemption certificate before the deadline on 31 July so they can continue to legally own their dogs. From 1 August 2024, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate or to have applied for one by that date.

XL Bully dog owners in Scotland are being urged to prepare for new rules which are expected to come into force this Friday. 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 own

The first of a two-stage approach to new legal safeguards on XL Bully dogs in Scotland will come into force on 23 February subject to Holyrood's approval. From this date, it will remain legal to own an XL Bully dog but owners must ensure their dogs are muzzled and on a lead when in a public place. S

Stealing a dog or a cat is to become a specific criminal offence in the rest of the UK, despite the existence of the crime of theft. The Pet Abduction Bill, a private member's bill introduced at Westminster by Southend West MP Anna Firth and now formally backed by government ministers, proposes to c

Tight safeguards on XL Bully dogs are to be introduced in Scotland to make it a criminal offence to own the breed without an exemption certificate. The legislation will mirror what has been introduced by the UK government in England and Wales, and prevent Scotland from becoming a ‘dumping grou

New laws banning XL Bully type dogs have been laid in Parliament, as the UK government adds the breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Under the new rules, which come into force at the end of the year, it will be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, aban

New legislation to prevent the chasing and killing of wild mammals for sport has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish government’s Hunting with Dogs Bill will close loopholes in existing laws that have allowed the practice of illegal hunting to continue. A new two dog limit for

The Scottish Parliament will consider stage three of the Hunting with Dogs Bill tomorrow. The bill was introduced last year, two decades after a failed attempt by the Scottish Parliament to ban hunting with the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act, back in 2002.

Parents who buy puppies as Christmas presents from unauthorised breeders could be getting duped into helping to fund organised crime in Scotland. That was the stark warning today from the Crown Office as law agencies look to choke off a source of revenue for gang networks all over the country.

Former sheriffs have questioned "bizarre" proposals to create a specific offence for the theft of dogs. Douglas Cusine said: “The suggestion of having a specific offence of stealing a dog is bizarre. The existing law covers this and an accused could be put on indictment which could result in f

An MSP has launched a consultation on creating a specific crime of stealing dogs in Scotland, even though doing so is already a crime. Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden's plans would see anyone convicted of stealing a dog face up to five years in prison, even though there is no such limit und

MSPs are set to debate and vote on stage one of the Scottish government’s Hunting with Dogs Bill, which aims to tighten legislation and put an end to illegal hunting. Speaking ahead of the debate on 25 October, environment and land reform minister Mairi McAllan said: “The chasing and kil

Dog thefts have risen, new figures from Police Scotland show. In 2020/21 there were 88 crimes in which dogs were stolen or there was an attempt to steal them, up from 62 in the preceding financial year.