Gail Robertson decided to make a space where the controversial breed can just be a dog and have fun (Image: SWNS)
Frustrated by the government’s ruling Gail Robertson, 47, decided to reach into her pockets and make a space where the controversial breed can just be a dog and have fun.
The field in Birchington, Kent, is surrounded by 6ft tall fencing and will be free to owners on the condition that they book in advance and clean up after themselves and their pooches.
Ms Robertson says the space will open in February and be accessible only for outlawed dogs.
She said: “Being someone who has owned large breeds myself, I was very frustrated at the ban.
“There are lots of fields you can hire privately, but most of them don’t have the insurance for XL Bullies.
“So, for many owners, there is not even somewhere they can walk their dogs without a muzzle or off the lead.
“Even if they can find somewhere, they have to drive out and pay. It’s costing them so much money just to walk them.”
The Paw Seasons Spa owner already runs a daycare in various fields and has the correct insurance cover in place for XLs.
She can offer the service for free by running the dog-sitting in just one field for one day of the week.
Ms Robertson, who has been grooming pets for 18 years, added: “It’s somewhere they can just be a dog and have fun.
“I’m lucky enough that it was set up for this already.
“I didn’t need to expand my fields and when I saw what was happening, I measured up and put the tall fencing in.
“Why should you have to pay to walk your dog?”
She says many four-legged friends which are not Bullies still have to be muzzled and kept on a short lead due to the ban.
The groomer explained: “It is so badly worded and ineffective. It’s not the right way to go about dealing with this.
“Some people have had family pets for 10 years and suddenly have to muzzle them.”
The criteria for XL Bullies as set out by the government list certain characteristics and heights for a dog to come under the ban.
They are described as “large dogs with a muscular body and blocky heads, suggesting great strength and power for their size”.
An adult male should be 20 inches or more at the withers to be classified as the outlawed breed and 19 inches for females.
The criteria states: “A suspected XL Bully type does not need to fit the physical description perfectly.
“If your dog meets the minimum height measurements and a substantial number of these characteristics, it could be considered an XL Bully breed type.”
The new play area is one acre, and will soon have equipment such as a trampoline and enrichment activities for pups.
Ms Robertson is hoping to also add a shelter with heating and seating for two legged visitors.
The new fence, shelter, and play equipment along with the cost of water and electricity has cost the dog lover at least £10,000.
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She added: “The fencing alone was just over 8k. It’s closed board solid wood fencing with concrete posts and kick boards.
“Add in electricity, water, play equipment and a field shelter and voila. Easily over that.”
Paw Seasons Spa is in a rural location with no immediate neighbours and has seven closed gates separating the bully field and the road.
The owner claims it is impossible for one of the banned animals to escape and become a danger to the public.
A neighbouring space will still be used for regular daycare clients, but due to the tall perimeter fence Ms Robertson said: “even the biggest, scariest dog will not bother them.”
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Bull type dog plays in Gail Robertson’s XL Bully field. (Image: Gail Robertson / SWNS)
With the new law that came into place on December 31, the controversial canines cannot be rehomed or sold, meaning the dogs in rescues are at risk of being euthanised.
Enthusiasts of the breed have now won a temporary injunction – lasting until February 1 – so shelters have more time to find them new homes.
The ban also means the dog cannot be in public without a lead and muzzle.
Owners who want to keep their animals after the ban must apply for a certificate of exemption by Sunday, January 31.
The dogs must be permanently neutered and covered by third-party insurance. Owners, who should be 16 or older, must pay £92.40 for each bully they want to keep.
They also have to make sure their dog is kept in a secure place so it cannot escape and is microchipped.
