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.”
“Inspirational Video: Visually Impaired Dog Shines Playing the Piano and Harmonizing with Sibling, Captivating Online Audiences and Becoming a Social Media Sensation”
A visually impaired beagle named Buddy Mercury has gained international acclaim on social media for forming an incredibly charming musical duo with his human sister. Despite his blindness, this music-loving canine exhibits remarkable piano-playing skills and harmonizes delightfully with his partner, showcasing a joyful spirit that remains undiminished.
Buddy Mercury, an eight-year-old beagle mix who was rescued, resides in Long Island, New York, with his human parents, Laurie and Glen Wolfe, and their 5-year-old daughter, affectionately referred to as Buddy’s “Lil Sis.” The couple adopted Buddy from a North Carolina animal shelter in April 2016 after he was discovered as a stray. They welcomed their daughter into the family the following year.
Laurie, 41, and Glen, 42, shared that Buddy has always been an integral part of their daughter’s life, fostering a heartwarming and endearing bond between the two. “It’s been a really sweet relationship to watch,” Laurie mentioned to The Epoch Times.
Buddy Mercury’s remarkable musical journey began just three months after his adoption, when Glen was taken aback while watching television. The piano unexpectedly started playing on its own, leaving Glen astonished. Quickly recording the enchanting moment on his phone, Glen captured Buddy playing the piano.
Initially, Buddy started “singing” in response to sirens from a nearby fire station. Soon, this became a routine, and Buddy began making musical melodies multiple times a day. Laurie shared, “It became part of his routine, and he’s really very happy when he plays because his tail is always wagging when he’s at the keys.”
Glen, a professional drummer, vividly remembers one of their earliest viral videos, in which their daughter entered the room with a guitar. The sequence of events that followed was nothing short of magical, as Buddy, looking out the window, joined in with his musical talents. “It was a magical moment, just unforgettable,” Glen fondly recalled.
In the summer of 2021, Laurie and Glen noticed a change in Buddy’s eyes. Upon seeking veterinary care, they were informed that Buddy had progressive retinal atrophy, a hereditary condition leading to complete blindness. Despite the heartbreak, the vet emphasized the importance of maintaining Buddy’s routines, including his piano-playing. “Through our tears we were smiling,” Laurie shared.
Although Buddy now faces challenges due to his blindness, Laurie and Glen administer eye drops to ensure his comfort. Despite occasional bumps into objects, Buddy’s independence remains strong. In solidarity with Buddy’s adjustment to life without sight, the couple has chosen not to adopt more animals.
Their heartwarming family band, featuring their daughter’s singing and Buddy’s piano-playing, serves as a compelling message advocating for animal adoption. Buddy frequently participates in community events, fundraisers, and interviews, where he enthusiastically performs in exchange for treats.
While Laurie and Glen maintain their day jobs, they hold onto the possibility that their unique musical collaboration could eventually lead to new opportunities. Laurie expressed, “There’s a lot going on in the world, but I think that there’s no better cure for whatever is hurting someone [than] choosing to rescue an animal.”
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