'It's turned my life upside down...' XL Bully owners take to streets of Manchester to protest dog ban

A group of XL Bully owners and campaigners gathered in Manchester city centre today (January 6) to protest against new laws that some say have been implemented 'too quickly' and turned their lives 'upside down.' The Bully owners rallied in St Peter's Square for much of the afternoon.

People gathered with signs to object to the new XL Bully legislation that makes breeding, selling, or abandoning the dogs illegal, while any current owners have until January 31 to apply for a certificate for their current pet. Because of the new law, it is currently an offence to walk a Bully off the lead or without a muzzle in public.

Affected dog owners brought red roses to represent the blood that they claim is on the hands of the politicians who passed the legislation, with some waving placards calling on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to roll back the new law and "take a step back from my family."

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Protester and owner of an XL Bully, two-year-old cuddle lover Lady, Ashley Marie said: "I am 100 per cent affected by the new law, it has turned my life upside down, all over Christmas and New Year we’ve done nothing but worry. Two months is nowhere near enough time to prepare for any of this."

With scores of other affected dog owners joining the protest, but all leaving their pooches at home, Ashley said: "It was brilliant to know there are many other dog lovers who see the real heart of the XL Bullies and how kind natured they really are. Standing together made me see how many people really do care and how strong we are as people.

"It’s really upsetting taking away an innocent animal's freedom based on appearance and goes against everything we stand for