It has been revealed that Norfolk Constabulary had to spend more than £100,000 looking after a group of unregistered XL bully dogs. 

The 17 dogs were at risk of being destroyed after their owners failed to register them following a change in the law earlier this year.

Magistrates in Great Yarmouth sat in a special two-day session to determine the future of the animals, with owners required to explain why their pets should be saved.

The new law came into force in FebruaryThe new law came into force in February (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)

Paul Sanford, chief constable of Norfolk Constabulary, said: "In the last year I've spent more than £100,000 on kennelling XL bully dogs waiting for that court case.

"They're the sort of pressures we're facing and the jam is only spread so thin."

Ultimately, the court decided that the 17 suspected XL bully dogs would be spared from immediate destruction and the pet owners were either given contingent destruction orders or had their cases adjourned. 

Under the contingent destruction orders, the owners can now register their dogs for exemption certificates.

Registrations of the breed became a legal requirement in February after a number of fatal attacks led to an amendment in the Dangerous Dogs Act.

READ MORE: Revealed: The Norfolk postcodes where more than 650 XL bullies currently live

In England and Wales, it is now a criminal offence to own or possess an XL bully without a valid certificate of exemption.

Owners of the breed must have the dog neutered, microchipped and muzzled in public, among other restrictions.

Police can seize unregistered dogs and their owners face a criminal record and unlimited fine.

Data published earlier this year revealed that there were more than 650 registered XL bully dogs being kept as pets in Norfolk and Waveney.