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.”
“Discovering the Wisdom of a Remarkable Canine: Online Community Celebrates a Clever Dog’s Incredible Money-Retrieving Skills”
Ace, an intelligent dog, has won the respect and admiration of the internet community for his astounding talent: withdrawing money for its owner all by itself. Ace’s accomplishment is a stunning display of intellect and creativity. This canine prodigy’s extraordinary problem-solving abilities and unheard-of degree of independence have astounded both professionals and fans.
Ace’s entry into the financial world started when its owner, an old man with poor mobility, had trouble getting money from the bank. Ace’s owner set out on a mission to discover creative solutions to this problem after realizing the need for a remedy, and finally trained the extraordinary dog to carry out this important function. Ace learned the nuances of the online banking system through a combination of praise and specially designed instruction. The nimble dog could maneuver through the required stages, enter passwords, and start the withdrawal procedure with astonishing accuracy.
The internet world was enthralled by Ace’s brilliance and propensity for embracing new technologies as word of his special talent spread. Ace swiftly gained the respect and admiration of millions of people across the world as videos and tales displaying his extraordinary abilities went viral.
People were astounded by Ace’s depth of comprehension, which revealed that dogs are not only devoted friends but also have extraordinary cognitive talents.
Ace’s ability to follow intricate instructions and carry out challenging tasks revealed the strong connection and depth of communication that may exist between people and their canine companions. Ace’s tale highlighted the value of accessibility and inclusiveness for those with physical impairments in addition to its internet notoriety. The canine’s amazing aptitude highlighted the possibilities for using technology to close gaps and provide persons with mobility issues more power. Ace’s influence expanded as its fame did.
The internet community came together in support of this resourceful dog, helping to raise money for charities that help those in need by giving assistance animals. Ace came to represent empowerment and served as a constant reminder of the incredible potential that resides in every single living thing. It is critical to keep in mind the significance of responsible pet care and ethical issues despite the fact that Ace’s extraordinary powers have caused wonder and adoration. Like all creatures, dogs require to be treated with love, care, and respect at all times to ensure their constant physical and mental wellbeing.
Ace’s story illustrates the high level of intellect and emotional bond that may exist between people and animals. Ace was an intelligent canine that was capable of autonomously withdrawing money for his master. It challenges us to rethink our perceptions of animals’ cognitive capacities and nudges us to look into fresh approaches of fostering and honing these special skills.
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