XL Bully finds new home as dog shelter celebrates 'a Christmas Day miracle'

25 December 2023 , 16:03

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XL Bully finds new home as dog shelter celebrates 'a Christmas Day miracle'

A dog thought to be an XL Bully has found a new home on Christmas Day in what RSPCA has called a "Christmas miracle".

Santorini, a two-year-old pooch, has been reserved with a view to being permanent homed despite the laws around XL Bullies being introduced next year.

Bosses at the charity's Birmingham Animal Centre and Hospital, which is near the southwest of the city, are delighted Santorini has new owners and say she's officially reserved, which means the true adoption process could start within days.

Her case mirrors the one of Pepper, a lurcher who had spent more than 800 days in RSPCA's care in south Wales, until she found a home for Christmas. Concern for XL Bullies in care, like Santorini, grew when Rishi Sunak announced in September the breed was a "danger to our communities". There has been a campaign for dangerous dogs to be banned in the UK, after several attacks - including fatal ones - on people across the UK this year.

Santorini enjoys a gift from her new owners

But today, Birmingham Animal Centre and Hospital wrote on Facebook today: "The news I'm SURE you've all been waiting for, and what a truly magical day to share it on...

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"SANTORINI IS RESERVED!!! She wants to thank every single one of you for sharing, commenting, and offering her a home She is our kennels Christmas miracle and the only gift we ever wanted this year! Merry Christmas everyone."

Video accompanying the Facebook post shows the hound running excitedly to what appears to be her new owners at the RSPCA centre. They hold a Christmas present ready for their new addition.

Writing previously on its website, RSPCA said Santorini would be a suitable pet for families with children. The charity said the dog "has the biggest smile that will brighten anyone's day."

It added: "Santorini has the biggest smile that will brighten anyone's day and, despite impending government restrictions that could impact on her life, she just keeps on smiling! Santorini is a potential XL Bully type dog which means that adopters will need to be fully aware of and understand the implications and restrictions of the laws that will be in place early next year -Staff at the centre will provide full pre and post adoption support to help with this."

From 31 December, XL bully dogs will no longer be allowed out in public unless they are muzzled and placed on a lead. Breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing one of the dogs to stray will also become illegal in England and Wales from that date. A complete ban on people owning XL Bullies will then come into force on February 1, 2024.

Bradley Jolly