Berwick charity warns new XL bully laws will force euthanasia

The XL can weigh more than nine stone (60kg) and is the largest of the American bully breed.

From Sunday, breeding, selling, rehoming and advertising the dogs will be illegal in England and Wales.

They are also being added to the list of banned dogs in England.

Dr Sam Gaines from animal charity the RSPCA said: “We will have to euthanise these dogs when they come into our care because we won’t be allowed to rehome them.”

The rules would also “affect dogs whose behaviour poses no risk whatsoever”, she added.

The charity has called for a judicial review into the new measures, saying the government has introduced them too quickly.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it had taken “quick and decisive action to protect the public from dog attacks” by adding the breed to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

These include an suspected XL bully attack on a 54-year-old man in Shiney Row in October.