XL Bully dogs - destruction, compensation applications, exemption certificates: EIR Release

Information requested

• How many XL Bully dogs have been put down since the Scottish Government introduced new guidelines on February 23, 2024?
• How many applications for compensation have been received by the Scottish Government since February 23, 2024 to a) cover the costs of euthanasia b) compensate for the loss of the animal?
• How much compensation has been paid out by the Scottish Government?
• How many XL bully Certificate of Exemption applications have been received by the Scottish Government as of July 18?
• How many XL bully Certificate of Exemption have been granted by the Scottish Government as of July 18?

Response

As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

How many XL Bully dogs have been put down since the Scottish Government introduced new guidelines on February 23, 2024?

Where an XL Bully dog owner has decided to have their dog euthanised without seeking compensation from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Government would not be advised by the owner. Therefore, the number of claims for compensation sent to the Scottish Government (information in relation to which is provided below) is not a full picture on the number of XL Bully dogs euthanised. The process whereby owners could seek compensation started on 1 April 2024 and ran until 31 July 2024.

How many applications for compensation have been received by the Scottish Government since February 23, 2024 to a) cover the costs of euthanasia b) compensate for the loss of the animal?

As at 18 July 2024, the Scottish Government has received 19 claims for £200 compensation to help cover the cost of euthanasia, and for the loss of the dog. The Scottish Government has also received one claim for £100 compensation from an individual for the loss of their dog only, with no costs being sought for the euthanisation of their dog.

How much compensation has been paid out by the Scottish Government?

As at 18 July 2024, all of the claims for compensation received have been considered. With 15 claims, totalling £2900, approved by the Scottish Government for payment. Actual payments may not have been made in all cases as they are still being processed.

How many XL bully Certificate of Exemption applications have been received by the Scottish Government as of July 18?

As at 18 July 2024, 1,776 XL bully certificate of exemption applications have been received.

How many XL bully Certificate of Exemption have been granted by the Scottish Government as of July 18?

As at 18 July 2024, the Scottish Government had issued 1,742 certificates of exemption to owners of XL Bully dogs in Scotland.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.