From December 31, the dogs must be muzzled in public and it will be illegal to breed, sell or abandon them.

Advertising, gifting and exchanging the pups will also be banned, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

The government reminded owners that they can ask a vet to put their pets down and claim compensation.

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: “New legal restrictions for XL bullies are now less than a fortnight away.

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