A Suffolk rescue centre has released a desperate plea for help to rehome an XL Bully just 48 hours before the upcoming ban is introduced.
From December 31, it will be against the law to sell, abandon, give away or breed an XL Bully dog, as well as to have one in public without a lead and a muzzle.
And from February 1 next year, it will become a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption and adhere to strict rules around microchipping and neutering.
Owners who decide not to keep their XL Bully dogs have been told they should take their dog to a vet to euthanise it, for which there will be a compensation scheme towards the cost.
On Friday, December 29, Suffolk Animal Rescue, which has a shop in Ipswich and a cattery in Debenham, revealed they had been contacted by owners looking to rehome two-year-old XL Bully, Meech.
This means the charity now has just 48 hours to find him a home and the plea has already been shared more than 800 times on Facebook.
In a post on social media a spokesperson for the centre said: "We have been contacted asking for urgent help rehoming an XL Bully.
"Unfortunately they have left it to the last minute and now we are in a desperate rush to find this boy a home."
Meech, who is microchipped and fully vaccinated, is described as 'child friendly' having lived with young children since birth, and also lives with another dog.
The two-year-old is not neutered, but the centre has said this will be done at their cost.
"This poor boy is being rehomed through no fault of his own," the spokesperson said.
"Meech is a lovely boy and an absolute gentle giant. He has a lovely temperament, is house trained and loves his walks."
Meech's muzzle training will need to be continued, and he does pull on the lead which is also something which will need to be worked on.
He needs an owner who is around for the majority of the time as he can get bored and has been known to chew.
The spokesperson added: "This poor boy has 48 hours to find a home. Could you offer this gentle boy a loving home?"
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