Are XL Bully laws really enough after mauling leaves Scots boy with life-changing injuries?

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Today’s Record shows the shocking images of five-year-old Teddy Kerr who was attacked by an XL Bully. The lad has been left with life-changing injuries after the beast tore into his head and body.

Teddy suffered a terrifying ordeal, something no child should have to go through. But sadly incidents like this are all too frequent. Powerful XL bully-type dogs have pretty awful track record.

It beggars belief why anyone would want to keep one as a pet or allow them to be around children. But time and again reports emerge of terrifying attacks on people or pets.

We can only conclude that the law does not go far enough to protect the public from dangerous dog breeds. On action to curb the threat posed by XL bully-type dogs, the Scottish Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to agree to a ban.

After the Westminster Government decided it was time for a crackdown, the SNP dragged their heels to act. This was despite the breed having caused more than half of dog-related deaths in the UK over two years.

The delay was disastrous and ended up, for a time, with Scotland becoming a dumping ground for dogs from down south. This horrific case shows that, despite recent law changes, these dogs still pose too great a threat in the home or in public.

Ministers should look again at whether the current legislation is fit for purpose.

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Missing in action at time of need

The climate crisis is real and politicians across the world must do their bit to save the planet. MSPs were in the spotlight this week due to the SNP Government’s failure over their climate targets.

Ministers admitted annual targets were not achievable and MSPs have now had to pass a new law based on new objectives. The least the public expect is that all MSPs show up to vote on this crucial legislation.

But three MSPs – Sarah Boyack, Stuart McMillan and Jeremy Balfour – were missing after flying out to Australia. The so-called urgent business was a meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

Boyack’s attendance is particularly questionable given she is Labour’s net zero spokeswoman. MSPs need to realise their day job is representing their constituents and passing laws. Junkets are not part of the remit.

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