News / Animals
XL Bully owner says her six dogs are ‘like my kids’
A grandmother from Shirehampton who owns six XL Bullies says that her beloved pets have had their lives “ruined” by draconian new government legislation.
From February 1, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless the dog has a certificate of exemption.
Mary O’Driscoll was among a group of protesters who gathered by the Cascade Steps on Saturday afternoon ahead of the ban.
is needed now More than ever
Joining Mary, 45, was her seven-year-old daughter Angel-Rose and her friend, Leileh, aged nine.
Angel-Rose has her own XL Bully called Rainbow, with the name of her and Mary’s dogs – Brunson, Diamond, Gucci, Junior, Mula, Prada and Kila – written on a colourful homemade banner.
From left to right: Leileh, Mary and Angel-Rose – photo: Rob Browne
“I’m here to stick up for my XL Bullies,” Mary told Bristol24/7.
“I have got six XL Bullies and I do not believe with the ban that is coming into place and what they’re saying in the media about these animals.
“My dogs are soft, they’re like babies, they like to be cuddled, they’re my family, they’re like my kids.”
Mary said that under the new laws, “their life is ruined”.
From February 1, all XL Bully dogs must be microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public, kept in a secure place so it cannot escape, and neutered.
“It’s affected me badly because my dogs are now not allowed to go out in public or go near other dogs to play,” said Mary.
“They’re going to be unemotionally attached to people now. It’s basically going to take the dogs backwards and they are going to get more depressed. They’ve just ruined their lives.”
‘Don’t bully my breed’ said the back of Leileh and Angel-Rose’s hoodies – photo: Rob Browne
Mary added: “It’s not the animals. It’s the people that have the animals. It’s how you look after them. How they’re treated. It’s the humans, not the animals.
“I couldn’t even bring my dogs here today. I didn’t want them muzzled for that length of time in public.
“I think every dog should have a license, not just XL Bullies. Even small dogs, they can be vicious. Any dog can be vicious, any dog could turn at the end of the day.
“Dogs are unpredictable. They can’t just say, XL Bullies are vicious…
“I think the media are portraying it so people think that all these attacks are from XL Bullies.”
‘Time to look at the other end of the lead’ read one banner at the protest – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Rob Browne
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