An XL Bully owner has driven 180 miles through the night to save dozens of dogs just hours before the muts were banned following Rishi Sunak’s law change.
Sammy Wilkinson, from Tipton in the Black Country, transported around 30 dogs north of the border to rehome the pooches in Scotland.
Wilkinson shared an image on social media showing him with two dogs in his vehicle as he ventured to Scotland where XL Bullies do not face the ban.
He wrote: “I’m absolutely exhausted and my car is falling apart but you’re not killing these Rishi Sunak, now it’s a race to the Scottish Border before midnight.”
Sammy Wilkinson, from Tipton in the Black Country, transported around 30 dogs north of the border to rehome the pooches in Scotland
FACEBOOK/SAMMY WILKINSON
XL Bully lovers helped Wilkinson along the way after A Go Fund Me page was set up to raise almost £9,000.
Organiser Lisa wrote: “I’m putting this fundraiser together for Sammy Wilkinson. In hope that we can raise some money to help Sammy in saving even more XL Bullies.
“Sammy is currently driving Day and Night from the Black Country to Scotland, each time taking a group of XL Bullies with him and finding them new homes in Scotland. About 30 dogs so far he’s saved and he’s still going!
“Sammy will continue to do this for as long as he can. Please everyone let’s support him and lets help save more XL Bullies.”
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Wilkinson later confirmed the cash would help people apply for exemption certificates and muzzles.
He added: “No matter how little you gave, just know you are hugely appreciated and if it wasn’t for people like you supplying the frontlines from behind the scenes none of this would be possible.”
XL Bullies have been hit with new restrictions from midnight on December 31 following a spate of fatal attacks.
It is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon the dogs or let them stray.
The banned breeds must also wear muzzles and be kept on a lead in public.
Additional measures with ban the XL Bullies unless they receive exemption certificates in February.
XL Bullies joined American pitbull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinos and fila Brasileiros on the list of banned breeds on the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “The Prime Minister pledged to take quick and decisive action to protect the public from devastating dog attacks with measures in place by the end of 2023.
“We have met that pledge – it is now a legal requirement for XL Bully dogs to be muzzled and on a lead in public. It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.”
