“Unfolding the Chronicles with a Homeless Dog, a Trembling Soul Navigating the Harsh Realities of Life on the Streets. His spirit was broken, and his heart bore the invisible scars of abandonment and neglect. Fear had become his constant companion, and he sought refuge in the shadows of a world that had shown him little kindness.
But amidst the indifference of the world, there were those who saw the urgency of his situation. Compassionate individuals, driven by empathy and a deep love for animals, recognized the urgency of his plight. Their hearts ached at the sight of a dog so scarred and broken, and they endeavored to offer him a lifeline of hope.
The road to healing was a delicate mission, marked by patience and gentleness. The scarred homeless dog, initially wary and fearful of human contact, was approached with utmost care. It took time, but slowly, trust began to form between the dog and his newfound caretakers. Commissioned by passion and genuine concern, they worked tirelessly to offer him a lifeline of hope.
The journey to healing was a turbulent path, a trial by fire to transform the broken spirit. He was gradually coaxed away from the shadows that had been his refuge, and his heart began to thaw in the embrace of love and reassurance. With each passing day, his fear gave way to trust, and his wounded soul found solace in the silent gestures of compassion.
The pivotal moment of rescue was a triumphant point in the dog’s life. He was gently coaxed away from the haunting memories of his rough background, and he found himself enveloped in an atmosphere of care and belonging. With each passing day, his fear transformed into courage, and he began to blossom in the warmth of genuine affection and understanding.
The dog’s journey from a place of darkness to the embrace of light is a poignant reminder of the capacity for compassion and intervention, even in the face of overwhelming fear and despair. The scarred homeless dog, once abandoned and broken, became a beacon of resilience and hope.
This tale is a testament to the power of resilience in the face of adversity, a celebration of the indomitable spirit that, despite all odds, strives for love and redemption. It stands as a reminder that, even in the darkest corners of life, there is always room for a brighter tomorrow, fueled by love, compassion, and the unyielding spirit to overcome.”
‘Save our beautiful bullies’: The dog lovers fighting to save American XLs as government ban approaches
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.”
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