A COURT has given the order for two XL bully dogs to be destroyed.

The direction was made during the sentencing of Daniel Saunders for owning the prohibited breed dogs.

The 28-year-old, of Warrington Road in Bold Heath, was handed community service when he appeared before Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates’ Court.

He was charged with two counts of possessing or having custody of a ‘fighting dog’, as per section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

As of December 31 last year, it became illegal to breed, sell, abandon or allow an XL bully to be in a public place without it being muzzled or on a lead.

Then on February 1 this year, it became illegal to possess or have custody of an XL bully unless there is a valid certificate of exemption in place, combined with compliance of conditions.

The court heard how Saunders had two XL bully dogs named Marlo and Velma, in contravention of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Magistrates took his guilty pleas into account and sentenced him to a 12-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 40 hours of unpaid work.

Moreover, a destruction order was made by the courts in respect to both Marlo and Velma.

It was also ruled that the defendant must pay £1,081 in costs to Merseyside Police, £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a statutory surcharge of £114.

An application was approved for the funds to be deducted from his benefits.