Secure field could be used for exercising XL bully dogs

PLANS for a secure dog walking area in a Cornish town would allow owners of banned XL bully dogs to exercise them safely.

Jessica Daw, a local farmer, has applied to Cornwall Council to turn a field near Piggy Lane car park in Wadebridge into a dog walking area complete with parking.

The government has added the American bully XL, known as an XL bully, to the list of banned dangerous dogs. It’s now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL bully type dogs to stray in England and Wales. Owners should also have a certificate of exemption from the government and comply with additional restrictions including keeping them on a lead and muzzled in public, having them neutered and having third party liability insurance.

As part of a planning statement for her proposals, Mrs Daw says: “Following the recent country-wide ban on XL bully dogs which came into force on December 31, 2023 and states that these dogs can only be exercised in a secure place, many dog owners have found themselves in an impossible situation whereby they cannot legally exercise their dogs safely. In setting up this secure meadow, we will ensure that we comply with all regulations so that this can be used confidently and safely by owners of this breed.”

Two in four deadly dog attacks in the UK in 2021 involved the XL bully breed – rising to six in ten in 2022, with a recent high-profile case in London when grandmother Esther Martin was mauled to death by two suspected XL bully dogs.

XL bully dog ownership is highly restricted

Mrs Daw was inspired to set up a secure dog walking area after reading about the need for one in the Wadebridge area.

She said: “Recently, we have read some comments on social media which included dog owners in Wadebridge searching for a local and secure space to exercise their dog. This inspired us to consider the options and land that we had available to us and how this could be utilised to provide what so many people are looking for.

“Following some market research on the numbers of people who may want to use this type of service, the response was overwhelmingly positive from the local community.”

She said there were other benefits to the facility. “We feel that, should this application be successful, this will support local farmers, ourselves included, who are experiencing challenges with local dog walkers. Furthermore, it will provide a facility for those who ordinarily need to employ a professional dog walker and will even support local dog walkers and trainers in growing their own businesses by providing much needed secure facilities and space.”

The applicant plans to plant further trees and shrubs and install a 6ft fence which will ensure that dogs cannot leave the enclosed area.

Jacob King >