‘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.

<p>Professional dog trainer Chris Halls with his XL bully Odin, who has won awards in PSA competitions </p>
Professional dog trainer Chris Halls with his XL bully Odin, who has won awards in PSA competitions(Don’t Ban Me – Licence Me)

“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.

<p>Owners will be required to muzzle their XL bullies from New Year’s Eve onwards </p>
Owners will be required to muzzle their XL bullies from New Year’s Eve onwards(Don’t Ban Me – Licence Me)

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.

<p>Sophie Coulthard with her XL bully Billy, whom she trains in TikTok videos </p>
Sophie Coulthard with her XL bully Billy, whom she trains in TikTok videos(Don’t Ban Me – Licence Me)

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.

<p>Coulthard has described the ban as a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ and called for licensing laws to replace it </p>
Coulthard has described the ban as a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ and called for licensing laws to replace it(Don’t Ban Me – Licence Me)

“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.”

After finding a caring home, a dog who lost part of his face can’t stop grinning.

A call that left Brittany Faske, a volunteer with the rescue organisation ADORE (All Dogs Official Rescue Enterprise of Houston), anxious came in January. A construction worker in Houston, Texas, noticed an injured Pit Bull with half of its face missing. According to the man, the dog hid in the bush and refused to allow anyone approach too close.

The woman was taken aback by the call and rushed to the spot. When she discovered the dog beside a ditch among the bags of food leftovers and old tyres, she realised he was in far worse condition than she had anticipated. The dog was in such horrible shape that she thought the best she could do was relieve his agony.

“This once-beautiful, big, and strong dog had been reduced to almost nothing.” He was so skinny that his ribs, hip bones, and backbone were clearly visible beneath his skin, in addition to his injuries. “He was covered in dirt and very weak,” Brittany explained to The Dodo.

The dog made a warning growl as she approached, but it didn’t startle her. She didn’t expect a different reaction from him, given the situation he was in and everything he had to go through and suffer through to remain that way.

After a while, the dog let Brittany to approach close enough to examine her injuries. The animal’s nose and snout were missing, and what was left hung in front of her face.

Brittany instantly realised it couldn’t have been an accident because the cut was so straight it could only have been made with a sharp instrument. So, that dog scenario was most likely the act of a human being, possibly the same one who left him lying there. In addition to the horrific sight of the wounds, the dog reeked of infection.

Brittany took Apollo, the dog she named, to the veterinarian after gaining his trust. Despite appearing to be in excruciating pain, the dog managed to relax and even fall asleep in the woman’s car. However, he was not yet fully safe.

The dog required immediate medical attention, and Brittany was unsure if he could handle the therapies that were to follow. However, when Apollo arrived at the clinic, he trotted around the waiting area, sniffing people and interacting with the other dogs.

Apollo had heartworm, a disorder that arises when parasitic worms move through a dog’s tissues to its heart and can lead to death if left untreated, in addition to his facial injuries.

Brittany and the vet placed food and water in front of Apollo to determine his quality of life and ability to eat properly. He could have a shot if he can do it.

Apollo ate two bowls of food and water without hesitation. Then Apollo approached the woman who had saved him and rested his head on her leg. “From that moment on, we knew he wasn’t just any dog,” Brittany explained.

Apollo eventually underwent reconstructive surgery. The dog’s exterior nose had been removed, but he still had a nasal cavity through which he could breathe. During the procedure, the veterinarian wrapped a skin graft around the exposed bone in Apollo’s nasal cavity to protect what was left of his nose. While the vet had to remove part of the dog’s top jaw and some teeth, he was still able to maintain enough of his mouth for him to eat and drink regularly.

Meanwhile, Brittany had not considered adopting the dog; she was simply concerned with the surgery and the dog’s recovery. She knew, though, that she and Apollo had formed a special link that was growing stronger by the day.

Brittany introduced Apollo to her other dogs, two males over the age of ten. “They were powerful breeds with volatile temperaments.” Two old men who are grumpy. I wasn’t sure if they could take another dog. “They were used to being just the two of them and were very protective of me,” she explained.

Once again, Apollo outperformed Brittany’s expectations. Apollo not only accepted the new dog, but he also adored the elder dogs. Another surprise element about Apollo was that he enjoyed being among others, which was unexpected given what he had been through. After that, Brittany made the obvious decision to officially adopt Apollo.

Apollo now lives a full life despite his facial injuries. His repaired nose functioned like any other dog’s nose, allowing him to breathe, smell, and sneeze normally. His reconstructed jaw does not prevent him from eating or playing.

Apollo enjoys cuddling up in the recliner with Brittany and watching TV, playing with his dog brothers, eating, and sunbathing. Furthermore, the dog received personalised training sessions at a Total Control K9 College K9 course, where he attends classes every Saturday and appears to like it.

Apollo was able to overcome his emotional traumas thanks to Brittany’s devotion, which also made him a very caring and affectionate dog. “I’ve never met a happier dog.” “You can see their trust and love in their eyes,” Brittany says.

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