Animal lovers held a candlelit vigil for XL Bully dogs being put down as a law banning the breed came into force.

Forty people gathered in Pencester Gardens in Dover on Monday evening to mourn the death of the canines after an injunction to stop the legislation’s consequences came too late.

The RSPCA had warned that XL Bullies in rescue centres that had not been rehomed by New Year’s Eve faced the prospect of being euthanised.

Lee Sansum, who organised the demonstration last night, described it as a “sombre and respectful” occasion.

“There was a lot of disbelief – we were stood there mourning the death of dogs who didn’t need to die," said the 38-year-old.

“But it was heartwarming to feel that we have some support from the public – that it’s not just us bully owners in this fight.

“Thankfully in this area we’ve had no reports of dogs who have been put down, but there are dozens of dogs across the UK that have been put to sleep.”

Animal charities and rescue groups had been in a race against time to re-home abandoned XL Bullies before the deadline.

The RSPCA had said a number of the dogs could not be rehomed in time “due to behavioural or medical reasons”, and staff were facing the “heartbreaking” prospect of seeing them euthanised.

The ban was issued following a rise in attacks and fatalities which have seen XL Bullies join four other breeds which are prohibited in the UK – Pit Bull Terriers, the Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentinos and Fila Brasileiros.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) states there have been 16 deaths this year where the underlying cause was a dog bite.

But Mr Sansum says it is misguided to blame particular breeds for such incidents, when it is owners who should be more responsible.

“Any animal lover should be against what’s being done,” he added.

“Banning a breed is not putting the public first – it’s just pushing this problem onto another breed, because these owners will just get another breed.

“We’re all waiting for the judicial review and are praying that some sense is actually seen in all of this.”

It is now against the law to sell, breed, give away, abandon or let stray XL Bullies. The ban also means the dog cannot be in public without a lead and muzzle.

Owners who want to keep their dogs after the ban must apply for a certificate of exemption by Sunday, January 31.

The dogs must be permanently neutered and covered by third-party insurance. Owners, who should be 16 or older, must pay £92.40 for each dog they want to keep.

They also have to make sure their dog is kept in a secure place so it cannot escape and is microchipped.

From February 1, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless your dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.

Full government guidance can be found here.

Additional reporting by Chantal Weller