The XL Bully breed has faced controversy for years due to public safety concerns. As a result, breeding, selling, advertising, gifting, abandoning, or allowing an XL Bully to stray has been illegal in the UK since late 2023/early 2024. Plus, the law continues to tighten when it comes to the banned dog breed. And now, an XL Bullie sanctuary can officially operate in Scotland and give the dogs a good life, after receiving its license.
All Bullie Charity Rescue is an XL Bully sanctuary located near Forfar, and hosts 27 bully breed-type dogs. Their four XL bullies have been housed at Happas Canine Centre since 2024. Their licence to home XL bullies has been refused twice, with the third time being the charm.
Now, the licence has been granted for 12 months, with the condition that the number of dogs must be capped at 27, but they are not allowed to receive any more XL bullies than they already have. What is more, record-keeping, hygiene and security at the kennels must be kept to standard.
Manager Kerryanne Shaw told STV: “All the hard work, determination and care for the dogs has been recognised and we’ve finally managed our goal. It has been a difficult, long process, so we’re super chuffed that we’ve got it.
“It doesn’t really change anything other than we can operate legally from the kennels.”
“We’ve had a lot of trolling, people saying the dogs should be killed. Some of our dogs have issues due to bad owners, abuse or poor circumstances that have shaped their behaviour. But we love to look after them, and they love us back.”
Volunteer Mark Wilding said: ““I’ve always loved working with larger breed dogs. I wanted to help. Some of the situations that some of the animals come from is absolutely awful. I mean horrific.”
“So to think that you’re helping any animal out of any of these situations, I think that’s what anybody does it for. It’s important for dogs to have this home. They get plenty of love.”
If you would like to get involved in the cause, check out the All Bullie Charity Rescue website.
