'Petty' SNP slammed for reaching 'new low' after moaning about XL bully ban

'Petty' SNP slammed for reaching 'new low' after moaning about XL bully ban
Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 19/01/2024

- 16:42

SNP minister Siobhian Brown blamed Westminster for failing to stop dog owners bringing their animals north of the border

The SNP has been accused of reaching a "new low" after moaning about the ban on XL bullies introduced by Wesmtinster.

The Scottish Government confirmed that it would be following Westminster in its decision to stop the sale of the breed in Scotland.


This comes weeks after Sunak introduced the legislation.

But rather than admitting that the SNP should have acted quicker to introduce the ban, SNP Community safety minister Siobhian Brown blamed Westminster for failing to stop dog owners bringing their animals north of the border.

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The SNP has been accused of reaching a "new low" after moaning about the ban on XL bullies introduced by Wesmtinster

PA


She said: "Such a decision was for the UK Government to make for owners in England and Wales.

"The UK Government’s failed, however, to fully consider the knock-on impacts of that decision.

"As the First Minister set out last week, the UK Government failed to act to stop dog owners in England and Wales evade the new controls by bringing their dogs to Scotland.

"That changed the balance of whether we needed to act here in Scotland."


She added: "We must recognise the consequences of the UK Government’s policy on XL Bully dogs.

"Effectively it would see owners in England and Wales able to rid of their XL Bully dogs here in Scotland.

"We therefore have to act and enhance safeguards that will help keep the public safe.

"It is therefore now right to replicate the regime in England and Wales so that we remove the ability of English and Welsh dog owners to use Scotland to get rid of their dogs.

"Moving forward, we will be considering issues that have arisen as a consequence of the UK Government’s policy."

But Russell Findlay, Justice spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives, accused the SNP of putting "petty nationalist point scoring above public safety surely marks a new low".

He said: "For fans of SNP grievance output, this really is a belter. Adults and children across the UK have been maimed and killed by XL Bullies.

"In response, a quite rightly, UK ministers moved quickly to protect the public.

"They banned the breeding, sale, exchange of, gifting of these dangerous and powerful animals but the SNP decided to reject these same measures.

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"We know that seeking divergence from the UK is what gets these people out of bed in the morning but putting petty nationalist point scoring above public safety surely marks a new low.

"I note that 11 SNP MSPs have already stated their opposition to this ban, but will they show some teeth or will they retreat with their tails between their legs?

"My colleague Jamie Greene and others warned that the SNP's stupidity will result in an influx of XL Bullies into Scotland and that is exactly what is happening.

"So for the minister to stand here today and try to blame others is pathetic, what an absolute brass neck. The people of Scotland are not daft."

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