Banned XL bully dog destroyed on safety grounds

An illegally imported XL bully-type dog has been destroyed on public safety grounds, the Isle of Man government has said.

A ban came into force in 2023 after the UK government's decision to make ownership of the breed illegal.

However, the animal's owner brought him to the island last year and was fined £300 at Douglas Courthouse in January after admitting possessing the prohibited breed.

A government spokesman said: "This was a deeply regrettable outcome and the decision was not taken lightly."

He said the ban had an "overarching aim of protecting public safety".

The breed was added to the Schedule of the Wild Animals Act 1980 on 23 November 2023, making it an offence to import, possess, or have control of the dogs.

There have been several cases in the UK where XL bullies are known to have killed their owners, as well as children.

Other breeds included in the ban are the pitbull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino, and fila Brasileiro.

The government said the change in law "aimed to prevent the Isle of Man from becoming a sanctuary for banned breeds".

It said it recognised "the heartbreak" of the case, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture determined that destroying the animal "was the only option that upheld the law and its intent".

"This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of bringing prohibited dogs to the Isle of Man," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile the ManxSPCA said it had "worked tirelessly to seek alternatives to this devastating outcome".

The dog, called Charlie, went into the care of the animal sanctuary in Foxdale in November.

The ManxSPCA said: "Regrettably the current legal framework provided no path that would allow Charlie to remain safely and lawfully on the island."

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.