SCOTLAND will consider introducing a ban on American XL bully dogs, Humza Yousaf said, although the First Minister insisted a “firm decision” has not yet been made.
He spoke after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made clear his determination to ban the dogs – a move which comes after a fatal dog attack on a man in England.
Although the Dangerous Dogs Act is UK wide, Scotland is able to make its own amendments when it comes to the specifics of the legislation.
Sunak pledged a ban on the animals will be in place south of the Border before the end of this year.
It comes after it emerged a man died after being attacked on Thursday by two dogs – suspected to be bully XLs – in Staffordshire.
Sunak (below) said he had ordered ministers to bring together police and experts to define the breed of dog behind these attacks so they can then be outlawed.
In a video posted on social media, the Conservative Party leader said: “We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.
“These dogs are dangerous, I want to reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to keep people safe.”
Yousaf confirmed he had asked his officials “to liaise with the UK Government to understand a little bit more about the proposals in relation to the ban”.
Speaking on a visit to a nursery in Rutherglen, the First Minister added: “We have not made a firm decision yet.”
With SNP backbencher Christine Grahame bringing forward a member’s bill to Holyrood on dog welfare, Yousaf said that proposed legislation could mean “there may be opportunities to consider a ban up here in Scotland”.
But he stated: “We haven’t come to a firm conclusion on that.”
