Teesside XL Bully owner: 'Other dog breeds attack people too'
He says they have to comply with legislation and others don't
The owner of an XL Bully near Redcar says it is still not fair they have to comply with legislation when other breeds attack too.
There has been a number of recent incidents across the country where people have suffered serious injuries or died.
Darren Ferguson is from Dormanstown and he owns 18 month-old Lola. He said: "My heart goes out to the families involved in these attacks. I truly believe it's not down to the dog, it's how they're brought up by the owners. It's the person that's actually around them that makes them target people, making them vicious and things like that. It's not actually down to the dog itself, it's the way they're treated and brought up.
"There are other dog attacks. It isn't just the XL. It's like a witch-hunt and it needs to stop. These dogs are being prosecuted for a few attacks. There's been other dogs and other breeds that have killed in the past and those dogs are roaming around, they're not muzzled, not kept on a lead and they can do whatever they please. It's just not fair.
"My Lola she's a lovely dog and at the end of the day, it's the way you bring them up and my dog she is brought up to love, be caring and respectful to the people that are around. She'd do more damage jumping up to greet you. She'd never bite you. She's not like that. She's scared of her own shadow.
"The last few months haven't been as bad as I thought they would be. Yeah, we still get funny looks from people but at the end of the day I think it's down to the muzzle that she has on, it makes her look far more dangerous-looking than what she actually is. As for the muzzle, she's still not happy wearing it but a kind business donated a bespoke muzzle.
"The most difficult thing for me was actually finding a vet to do Lola's spaying. With me being on benefits, I simply can't afford the £400+ in fees, so I went to find a private vet who was involved in the Blue Cross voucher scheme to work towards the cost.
"They're being more friendly the ones that can see that she's a friendly dog. They're going up and they're fussing her, giving her a good stroke and they can see that she's not dangerous. It's quite reassuring and it makes me feel better than there are people out there who actually care and know that what's happening is wrong to these poor dogs."
XL Bully owners have until the end of this month to have their dogs neutered or spayed.