American bully XL owner willing to lose pub job over dog

Hayden Watson says he will look for work elsewhere if he has to give up his dog, Nala

A pub manager said he was prepared to give up his job to keep his beloved American bully XL.

Hayden Watson lives upstairs at The Harrier in Gunthorpe, Peterborough with his "playful" eight-month-old puppy, Nala.

He said a customer complaint prompted a call from his manager to say she cannot remain on the premises when such dogs are banned in January.

Greene King, which owns the pub, has been approached for comment.

In September, the government announced American bully XLs would be added to the list of breeds prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

• What is an American bully XL and why are they being banned?

Reports linked them to numerous attacks, which resulted in the death of a man near Walsall and a 10-year-old boy in Caerphilly.

But the ban, which begins to come into force from 1 January, has seen a backlash from thousands of pet owners who say XLs are gentle, loving dogs.

Hayden says Nala is an excitable puppy that has never done anything wrong

Mr Watson said "all the regulars love Nala", who was a "huge comfort" to him after he returned from a recent spell in hospital.

But "out of the blue", he had a phone call from his boss to say there had been a complaint about a bully XL being "at a so-called family pub".

Mr Watson said he was told banned breeds would not be allowed on the premises.

"I'd still 100% choose my dog over my job," he said. "She's part of my family, she's never done anything wrong. She's so loving, why should I have to put her down?"

Owners of American bully XLs have until 1 February 2024 to have them euthanised by a vet, for which they can claim £200 in compensation.

The alternative is to have them insured, microchipped, neutered, certified exempt and muzzled in public at all times.

The costs involved are believed to be prohibitive for many owners, while some councils and housing associations stop tenants from keeping banned dogs.

Owners of bully XLs in Peterborough, including Laura Creed (second from left) and Donna Smith (far right)

Donna Smith, 40, who runs a Facebook group for bully XL owners in Peterborough, said the ban had left a lot of her members feeling anxious and depressed.

"I will do absolutely anything to keep my dog, including taking out a loan to cover the costs," she said.

Laura Creed, 38, another XL owner, said Conservative Peterborough MP Paul Bristow had agreed to speak on the topic during a debate in Parliament on 27 November.

"All we can ask for is that he will look at this seriously," she said.

"Breed-specific legislation doesn't work - last year £1.5m was spent on kennelling seized dogs, so can you imagine the cost to the taxpayer of this ban?

"We don't object to dog licences because then the onus is on the person to prove you are capable of owning a dog."

A Defra spokesperson said it had taken "quick and decisive action to protect the public from tragic attacks".

"We are working closely with the police, veterinary experts and animal welfare groups as we take forward these important measures", the statement added.