XL Bully dog owners in Ayrshire are being reminded to apply for an exemption certificate before the deadline on 31 July so they can continue to legally own their dogs.

From August 1, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate or to have applied for one by that date.

To get an exemption certificate, owners can apply online or by post, a step which will cost £92.40.

They must also obtain third party insurance and neuter and microchip their dogs.

The deadline for online applications is midnight on July 31. Postal applications must be received by July 15.

Since April 1, when the exemption application process to own an XL Bully dog opened in Scotland, 761 dogs have been registered online, with seven postal applications also received.

In line with the initial safeguards introduced on February 23, XL Bully dogs must continue to be muzzled and kept on a lead in public.

Owners who decide not to keep their dogs can apply for compensation.

Ayr constituency MSP Siobhian Brown, Scotland's minister for victims and community safety, said: “I welcome the fact that 768 owners have already applied for an exemption for their XL Bully dog.

“We are now half-way through the time period available to apply for an exemption and I encourage owners who have not yet applied to do so now.

"The scheme is necessary to allow for XL Bully owners to legally keep their dogs in the long term, while agreeing to adhere to the necessary safeguards that will help reduce any risks to public safety.”

Anyone convicted of breaching the new safeguards could face penalties of up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine up to £5,000.