A vigil will be held to honour XL Bullies put down following a ban on the breed.

The laying of candles and flowers will take place in Dover this evening following new laws brought into force today under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Animal charities and rescue groups have been in a race against time to rehome abandoned XL Bully dogs before New Year’s Eve.

The organisations are required to euthanise those still left in their care after the ban made it unlawful to sell or rehome the animals.

Vigil organiser Lee Sansum, who owns three XL Bullies and lives in St Margarets, says the government has failed to properly vet dog owners.

The 38-year-old believes those who are neglectful of their pets are to blame for XL Bully’s poor reputation, having himself cared for Ruth, Nelly and Nala for many years without issue.

“I rescued them, they came to me skin and bones, and one had 38 scars, these two girls did not have the best start in life.

“Now, after hours of proper training, they are the most affectionate and well-trained dogs.

“If someone was to come onto my farm they would be more worried about getting licked to death.

“But saying that, like any dogs, they're dangerous in the wrong hands and this is why we need an overhaul of government legislation stipulating who can own which breeds.”

The former pupil at Archers Court School in Dover, who now runs dog walking firm Tails and Trails Kent, says he “feels so sorry for the owners”.

Anyone who wishes to attend the vigil is welcome, Mr Sansum said, stressing: “This is not a protest, this is for people who care, for animal lovers, to come along and pay their respects.

“Not one dog is inherently aggressive from birth, they are either unwell or distressed they don't just want to wake up and attack a human,” he added.

“This is an opportunity for all animal lovers who are affected.

“Animal lovers don't want to see to see these dogs die.”

The vigil will take place at the bandstand of Pencester Park in Dover from 6pm – 7pm today.

The ban was issued following a rise in attacks and fatalities which have seen XL Bully dogs join four other banned breeds- 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.

From today it will be against the law to sell, abandon or let stray, give away and breed the XL Bully. 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 also 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.

It comes as dog owners met for one last time yesterday to walk their pets unmuzzled at Margate seafront.