A dog owner has become the first person to be sentenced for illegally owning an XL Bully dog ​​in breach of new laws.

Patrick McKeown, 40, is the first person known to be charged under the law that took effect on February 1.

McKeown failed to apply for an exemption for his XL Bully, nor did he have the dog neutered or obtain insurance.

The dog was also seen loose in the backyard of a property in Worthing, West Sussex, police said.

McKeown warned police that his dog would attack anyone who came near it. Police executed a search warrant at the address and seized the dog.

The former builder pleaded guilty at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on March 12 to one count of owning or keeping a fighting dog, contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The court sentenced him to a one-year community order requiring him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. McKeown was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court ordered the dog destroyed pending an appeal.

Chief Inspector Simon Starns, who heads the force that deals with dangerous dogs, said: “This is one of the first cases of its kind to be prosecuted in Sussex.

“It demonstrates to the public that property owners have a responsibility to ensure compliance with the new laws now in force.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure the safety of dogs and reduce the risk to the public through responsible breeding.

“We continue to ask all dog owners to follow government guidance on the ownership of XL Bully breed dogs.

“This includes ensuring that all XL Bully breed dogs are muzzled and leashed by someone over the age of 16 when in public places.”

From 1 February, possessing an XL Bully without a certificate will be a criminal offense in England and Wales.

This follows restrictions that came into effect at the end of last year, meaning dogs must be kept on a leash and muzzled in public.