Members of the public alerted officers that the dogs were living at houses in York and Kellington, York magistrates heard. By law XL bully dogs must be put down unless their owners can get a certificate of exemption on the grounds they are fit and proper people to care for the dogs, and the dogs have a gentle temperament. Police removed both dogs from their owners and checked to confirm that they fitted the description of an XL bully dog. India Cooper, of Arran Place, off Malton Road, York, owns Luna. He told magistrates.