- By Christian Fuller & Phil Harrison
- BBC News, South East
Paw Seasons owner Gail Robertson said she spent £10,000 on the fenced area
A pet groomer has created a secure site in Kent where XL bullies and other banned dogs can play off-lead.
The breed was banned in the UK due to increasing attacks which caused many deaths.
Gail Robertson, owner of Paw Seasons in Birchington, Thanet, spent more than £10,000 on a free-to-use fenced area.
“They need to socialize and run in the fresh air,” he said.
Selling, giving away, abandoning or breeding from an XL bully is illegal in England and Wales. They must also be kept on top and in the public eye.
Since February 1, it has also become a criminal offense to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.
‘appointment only’
Ms Robertson said XL bullies were not inherently dangerous.
“Owners who train them to be aggressive make them dangerous,” he said.
“That’s why I set up a private dog walking space, so owners can legally take their XL bully dogs out into the open.”
XL bully owners can exclusively use the field on his farm to exercise their dogs without a lead or muzzle.
“If I had the money and the space, I’d put up 10 fields. People are willing to travel hours and hours just to give their dog freedom,” added Ms Robertson.
He said the space had to be private and booked by appointment only.
Ms Robertson said she could not legally be charged for the space.
