Man vows to keep rehoming bully XLs despite new ban

Sammy Wilkinson said he had been driving about 400 miles a day to rehome dogs

A man who has been driving hundreds of miles in a quest to rehome American bully XL dogs said he would continue to do so, despite a forthcoming ban in Scotland.

Sammy Wilkinson, from Tipton, has transported a number of dogs to Scotland as tighter laws on their ownership were introduced in England and Wales.

First Minister Humza Yousaf has since said the Scottish government will replicate the law which bans the breed without a licence.

Mr Wilkinson said the welfare of animals was at the forefront of his mind.

Mr Wilkinson said he would continue to rehome the dogs with suitable owners

He said dogs had been dumped or abandoned in England as a result of the law change and the Scottish government had not learnt anything from it.

He has not just been rehoming in Scotland. He said he had also taken dogs across England to where owners could take them in according to the restrictions.

When the Scottish ban comes into effect, he said, he may look to go further afield, and has been contacted by a German charity which is willing to help.

“I haven’t taken a particular interest in Scotland, I’ve rehomed everywhere.

"I’ve rehomed south in Plymouth, Portsmouth, as long as the dog is vetted and the home has been checked out and it is a compatible dog with a compatible owner, I’m happy to keep rehoming them," he said.

There have been protests against the ban in England

In order to keep a bully XL in England and Wales, owners must have the dog microchipped, neutered, kept on a lead and muzzled in public.

Owners must be over 16, have insurance against their dog injuring other people and have applied for a Certificate of Exemption.

Mr Wilkinson previously said he believed some owners had been irresponsible in taking on the dogs in the first place.