PET owners who chose to euthanise their XL bullies have received nearly £3000 in compensation from the Scottish Government.
Following a spate of serious attacks from the breed on people in the UK – with some even resulting in death – the Scottish Government followed the UK by introducing legislation which made it illegal to own an XL bully without a certificate of exemption.
The legislation came into force on August 1 with 2507 owners having lodged an application for exemption since they became mandatory on April 1.
However, the Scottish Government also provided owners with the option of applying for £100 to cover the cost of euthanasia with a further £100 available to compensate for the loss of the dog.
It’s understood that up to July 18 a total of 19 claims for this £200 compensation were made in Scotland, with an additional claim of £100 also lodged to cover the loss of a dog and not euthanasia.
Official figures show that a total of 15 claims were approved, totalling £2900.
All XL bullies owners in Scotland must now be in possession of a valid exemption and keep their dogs muzzled and on a lead while in public.
Failure to follow these rules carries a penalty of up to six months in prison and a £5000 fine.
Those applying for exemptions must also microchip their pet, have them neutered, obtain third-party insurance, and pay a £92.40 fee.
