XL Bully walks being held across North East to provide "safe space for owners"

XL Bully walks are being held across the North East in an effort to bring owners together and provide support after recent restrictions.

Following a successful walk at Aberdeen beach earlier this month, organiser Taylor Stirling is bringing the event to Roseisle beach in Moray on Sunday.

The Scottish Government recently introduced restrictions on the breed, meaning it is illegal to breed, sell, rehome or walk an XL Bully without a lead or muzzle.

"Safe space for owners"

Taylor, who lives in Keith, wanted to create a safe space for owners to discuss muzzle training and socialise their pets which she thinks has now become difficult to do.

The 21-year-old said: "So many people are struggling with the likes of muzzle training or just general socialisation.

"People tend to be avoiding these dogs now because the media has painted them so badly which is leading to these dogs getting no socialisation what so ever - which isn't just affecting the dogs, it's affecting the owners."

Successful Aberdeen walk

After the walk at Aberdeen beach, Taylor wanted to connect other XL Bully owners from the likes of Forres and Inverness who struggled to attend the first event.

She explained she had apprehensions about Aberdeen but it "couldn't have gone any better".

Taylor said people were approaching the group to ask questions about their pets: "Because they were drawn into the puppies they were then in and around the big dogs, which led them to speaking to the big dogs and finding out more about them.

"We didn't have one negative comment in Aberdeen. So many people came up to us and asked questions.

Misbehaviour not tolerated

Misbehaviour won't be tolerated at the event, as Taylor added: "I've made it very clear in all the posts. Obviously, it's common sense, we have to follow the law, so the muzzle and the lead obviously has to be done.

"I've said you have to be in full control of your dogs at all times, if you're not in control, you will be asked to leave and you won't be invited to future meet ups.

"This is a safe space, we create this so that people go this and go away happy, enjoy themselves and feel safe so, if people are coming along and jeopardising that then they won't be invited to future ones."