An XL Bully owner from Gainsborough is defending the breed against an outright ban
It comes after a number of recent dog attacks involving this type of dog prompted the Government to announce a ban that MPs will discuss in parliament today
Last updated 18th Oct 2023
There's calls for the proposed ban of the XL bully dog to be redacted with owners across Lincolnshire defending the breed.
It comes as MPs will discuss the issues around implementing and enforcing the ban, in parliament today.
The Government made the announcement after a number of recent dog attacks involving this type of dog.
Chloe, from Gainsborough, tells us why she got an XL bully:
"My dad's always bred dogs and we've always had big dogs, so I've always wanted a big dog. My dad had an XL bully and a Rottweiler and my next door neighbour was selling them, so we got one from them as we knew them, and he's just such a lovely dog.
"My children play out in the garden and there's not any concerns to me, I'd have the dog running by the side of them, you know, they go to the park with him, they always want to walk him, they're always cuddling him, they're always in his bed. There's no aggression there. I think they're just trying to pinpoint any animal, like they have done throughout the years, you know, Rottweilers, German Shepperd's, Staffordshire Bull Terriers."
She added that things have changed in recent months, since she had to muzzle him:
"He's always been on his harness and lead and everyone that's come up to me has said what a lovely dog he is, but he looks more aggressive with that muzzle on his face, and sometimes, you know, people can be a bit wary or try and cross over if they've got a dog. But now, with all the news on a ban, I think they think 'oh god, it's an XL bully, lets cross over'.
"We even got to the situation that it was just upsetting me too much, and as a mum of two, you know, I just kept thinking, my dog's going to be taken off of me.
"I think, every dog has a temperament, but I don't see Hugo as a danger at all and it's just really sad that they're thinking about banning them really."
Later today MPs will discuss issues around the proposed ban, including the means of its implementation and enforcement and related animal welfare issues. The Committee will hear from a range of witnesses from both sides of the debate around the breed, to inform its understanding of this pertinent issue.
Witnesses that will be talking, include David Martin, Group Animal Welfare Advisor at IVC Evidensia, Dr Lawrence Newport, Lecturer in Law at Royal Holloway University of London, and Co-founder of the Campaign for Evidence-Based Regulation of Dangerous Dogs, Dr Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dog's Trust.
Dr Samantha Gaines, Head of Companion Animals at RSPCA will also appear, with James McNally, a Partner at Slee Blackwell Solicitors, and the Rt Hon. the Lord Baker of Dorking CH, who was the former Home Secretary, at the time of the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act.