Police told the 27-year-old that their stay in kennels would eventually have to be paid by him - at which point he gave consent to have the puppies put down, but not Hugo and Honey.

He was later charged with three offences - two counts of possessing fighting dogs and one of breeding them.

Crawford admitted breeding the dogs and possessing one when he first appeared in court in December last year, but proceedings were adjourned while experts confirmed the breed of the second dog.

He returned to Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on October 10 this year to plead guilty to the remaining charge.

The court heard police attended Crawford’s former address on December 14 last year - 11 months after the XL bully ban came into force.

Officers told him his pets would be seized and kept in kennels until a court decided whether they could be exempted.

Prosecutor Jeremy Kingsford said the puppies were euthanised by a vet after Crawford signed a disclaimer.

During a police interview, he accepted owning the animals but claimed he thought they were American Staffordshire terriers, saying he only suspected Hugo might be an XL bully.

Mr Kingsford told the court that kennel costs for Hugo and Honey had already reached £14,967.

He added: “You could consider a contingent destruction order [on the two adult dogs], as there is nothing to suggest he’s not a fit and proper owner, but they have to be neutered.”

Defending, Alan Land said Crawford “gave consent to put down the puppies because of the [kennel] costs involved”.

The lawyer described Hugo and Honey as being in “excellent” condition and “very calm”.

He said: “They are in good health and show no aggression. He’s a fit and proper owner. They are well looked after by him and his partner.

“The registration period had passed. He could have made more of an effort, but he’s not a dog expert.

“He’s got a secure garden with large fences and has purchased muzzles already.”

The court heard Crawford, now of Folly Road, Folkestone, has six previous convictions for nine offences, though none were relevant to the case.

Magistrates fined him £60 for each of the two possession offences and £120 for breeding fighting dogs.

They also granted a contingent destruction order, allowing Hugo and Honey to be returned to him under strict conditions.

Both must be neutered and microchipped within two months and meet all government exemption rules.

Crawford must also ensure they are muzzled and kept on a fixed lead in public, and that no one under 18 walks them.

He was ordered to pay £7,000 towards kennel fees. The court heard he is on benefits and will pay what he owes at £20 a month - which, at that rate, would take him about 29 years and 2 months.

XL bullies were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act in October 2023 after a series of high-profile attacks. Owners had until January 31, 2024, to register them for exemption - after which it became illegal to keep one without meeting strict conditions.