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.”
Courageous Puppy Cries for Help and Battles to Rescue Mother Dog from Giant Python Attack, Displaying Exceptional Bravery in the Face of Danger
A small and courageous puppy demonstrates extraordinary bravery as it raises the alarm to save its mother from the grips of a giant python in a heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring scene recorded on camera. The harrowing incident occurred in a secluded town, illustrating the remarkable link between a pup and its father, as well as animals’ resilient spirit in the face of peril.
An astonishing story of daring and survival unfolded before the eyes of startled people in a small, remote community where nature and wildlife intertwined. This heart-stopping story revealed the steadfast strength and close relationship formed by a tiny dog and its mother as they confronted a massive python menace.
The terrifying meeting occurred in the tranquillity of the village, where daily life continued according to the natural rhythms. The peace was disrupted, however, as a gigantic python curled itself firmly around the mother dog, threatening her very survival. The mother dog found herself in a grave situation while writing in the claws of the reptile predator.
But assistance was not far away. A brave and quick-witted dog, just a few months old, became a witness to the dangerous event happening in front of its eyes. The young canine understood it had to act quickly and forcefully, fueled by natural resolve and an unshakable relationship with its mother.
The courageous pup unleashed a tremendous cry for aid, its frantic appeal resonating throughout the community, with every ounce of power and courage it possessed. The urgency and anxiety in its voice were unmistakable, prompting local residents to seek the cause of the uproar.
The locals hurried towards the terrified canine, guided by the puppy’s earnest appeal, knowing that time was of the essence. As they approached the scene, their eyes widened in amazement and bewilderment at what they saw. The mother dog, wrapped in the python’s tight hold, battled feverishly for her liberation, her life hanging in the balance.
The people worked together fearlessly to save the embattled mother dog from the grip of the terrible snake. Armed with tools and their collective might, they developed a strategy to rescue the mother dog from the python’s clutches.
The villagers performed their strategy with precision, painstakingly loosening the python’s coils and eventually releasing its grasp on the mother dog in a display of unshakable bravery and synchronization. As the tension subsided and the python’s hold loosened, hope ignited in the hearts of everyone who saw the rescue effort.
Finally, with one last concentrated attempt, the villagers were able to totally remove the mother dog from the python’s stifling grip. As the brave canine was reunited with her tough young, the crowd erupted in relief and appreciation.
This extraordinary story of bravery and survival serves as a compelling reminder of the tremendous ties that exist in the animal realm, as well as the awe-inspiring strength displayed by creatures large and tiny. The narrative of the brave puppy’s call for assistance and the villagers’ collaborative attempt to save the mother dog from the claws of a gigantic python exemplifies the indomitable spirit that dwells inside every living creature.
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