He couldn't have a German Shepherd because he was 50 years old!! The UK is obviously not long for the world.
The RSPCA is a charity, not a government agency, and it gives out dogs as it sees fit....
Go to any "pit bull" thread on FR. There are numerous *conservatives* on here who would ban bull terriers outright, and numerous others who are perfectly happy to dictate extensive criteria one would have to meet in order to *deserve* owning one.
I know a lot of (pet) adoption agencies, and any responsible breeder will conduct an in depth interview with a prospective owner to try to assess their suitability, and some may even request to take a look at the dog's new digs to ensure it's adequate for the dog's needs, but I can't for the life of me figure out how simply being 50 would disqualify anyone from owning any type of dog!