They’ve never ever done anything wrong,” one woman says of her three XL bully dogs. “We’ve owned bull breeds for 10 years and they’ve never put a foot wrong, we’ve never had altercations in public, we have had nothing but a positive experience.”
Heather Halls and her husband Chris have spent the past few weeks in disbelief after Rishi Sunak announced in September that American XL bully dogs would be banned in the UK following a spate of high-profile attacks and fatalities.
Not only do three of their family dogs fall into this category, but Chris is a professional dog trainer specialising in bulldog breeds, meaning that their entire livelihood is now at stake. They also compete in the Protection Sports Association, by which two of their XL bullies have been awarded titles.
“Essentially, our whole world and what we’ve worked towards in the last few years is about to get flipped on its head,” says Heather.
The couple have now joined forces with other XL bully owners to launch an official campaign to challenge the government’s stance, with more than £86,000 raised in a matter of days to support legal action.
Campaigners from Don’t Ban Me – Licence Me are asking the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to rethink their plans and are fundraising for a judicial review.
Poor breeding to blame for XL bullies attacking people, says dog trainer
With the support of their barrister John Cooper KC, they sent a warning of their intention to launch legal action to the environment secretary Therese Coffey last Thursday, as they hope to scrap the planned ban in favour of tightened laws around breeding and ownership.
Under new legislation, it will be illegal to sell, breed or abandon an XL bully-type dog from 31 December, while it will be an offence to own one from 1 February 2024 unless it is registered to the government’s database, the Index of Exempted Dogs.
Once their animal is registered, owners will have to abide by strict regulations, which include keeping their dogs muzzled and on a lead at all times in public, having them neutered and microchipped, and having to carry a certificate of exemption at all times to show police officers or council dog wardens.
Alongside descriptions of head size and physical features, the government has defined an American XL bully as an adult male from 20in in height, or an adult female from 19in. However, given that XL bullies have never been defined as an official breed, this has confused owners of cross-breeds such as mastiffs and mongrels.
The decision to ban the breed came after deaths relating to XL bully attacks, including those of 10-year-old Jack Lis and 17-month-old Bella-Rae Birch. Two people were injured in recent days in Mansfield by a suspected XL bully, while one report holds the breed responsible for nearly 50 per cent of all dog attacks in the UK.
Charities with the banned breed in their care will now receive £100 compensation for euthanising an XL bully, while owners will get £200 compensation if a vet euthanises their dog.
Speaking to The Independent, Sophie Coulthard, an organiser of the campaign group, says: “The problem with this knee-jerk reaction is that it won’t stop dog attacks. We need to focus on licensing and educating owners, with compulsory training and tougher punishments to prevent people from impulse-buying dogs.”
Sophie has owned her XL bully, Billy, for the last year, and has developed a following on TikTok by posting educational videos of his training as well as details of the proposed ban.
“One thing we’ve found is that people are really misinformed on the full impact of the ban,” she says. “What the government is asking me to do is look at their guidelines and commit him to a life on the muzzle, not go on holidays with him, have him muzzled in the car.
“There’d be no more playing with a toy in the park, anyone in social housing could lose their housing or their dog, you can no longer hire private fields to take dogs off the lead. It is really reducing the quality of life for these dogs.”
The group is arguing for the UK to take a similar approach to Canada’s Calgary model, an educational, licensing and stronger enforcement programme that has successfully reduced the number of dog bites by 70 per cent.
“I understand there’s been attacks, and I fully sympathise with anyone who has been a victim, because it’s horrific,” Heather says. “Dog ownership is a complete and utter mess, and people got these dogs in lockdown and haven’t socialised them or trained them. My son was bitten by a dachshund that shot out of a front door, so it’s not just XL bullies.
“Licensing is the right way forward. It’s proven to work in other countries and you can’t ignore the evidence that it works.”
Since the announcement, her five-year-old son panics each time he hears a siren, out of fear that police officers will arrive to take his dogs away. “Our dogs are our family pets,” says Heather. “I’ll do anything to keep my dogs safe. I will fight with my last breath.”
Heartbreaking Encounter: An Unconscious and Chained Dog’s Desperate Cry for Help on the Streets
Amidst a Tranquil Stroll: A Tale of Compassion and Rescue
One fateful Sunday evening, as I wandered through the familiar streets of São Paulo, an unexpected and heart-wrenching sight crossed my path. In the dimly lit corner of the street, I encountered a pitiful scene that shook me to my core: a defenseless dog, unconscious and chained.
Approaching cautiously, I could see the dog’s once lustrous fur now matted and soiled, a poignant testament to its prolonged suffering. The rusty chain, cruelly tight, had inflicted visible discomfort and injuries upon the poor creature’s neck.
The dog’s once-vibrant eyes, now dimmed by fear and pain, made feeble attempts to summon help with raspy, plaintive barks, yet it seemed invisible to the indifferent passersby. My heart ached witnessing this desperate cry for aid go unanswered.
Without hesitation, I knew I had to intervene. With trembling hands, I carefully examined the chain, realizing it had become embedded deep within the dog’s skin, causing severe wounds. Gently, I reached into my bag for a pair of scissors and painstakingly began to free the dog, mindful not to inflict further harm.
As the chain fell away, the dog slowly regained consciousness. Its trust in humanity had been shattered, but it tentatively accepted my reassuring touch. Tears welled in my eyes as I contemplated the cruelty it had endured.
The next steps were clear: I needed to seek immediate medical attention for this suffering soul. Cradling the dog gently in my arms, I embarked on a mission to find the nearest animal shelter or veterinary clinic capable of providing the care and rehabilitation it so urgently required.
This encounter served as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of compassion and empathy toward all living beings. It was a resounding call to action, a plea for change.
The surviving puppy found refuge with me, and I promptly alerted the relevant authorities to collect the deceased dog. According to the Samson Law, the owner of these animals will be held accountable for their actions.
Let us collectively work toward a world where such heart-wrenching encounters become rare, and compassion prevails.
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