Derby: Bully XL owner refused housing living in caravan

Sean Burlison said landlords needed to give more pet owners a chance

The owner of an American bully XL dog said he will spend winter living in a caravan after he was unable to find a house to rent.

Sean Burlison, 34, from Derby, said he had been refused more than 60 properties over the last eight months because of his dogs.

Mr Burlison, who also owns a Staffordshire bull terrier, said they were both very well behaved.

He said landlords needed to give more pet owners a chance.

Mr Burlison had been living in a house with his cousin, but following his cousin's death was given six months to leave the property.

He inherited Remi the American bully XL from his cousin and he said owning two dogs has made it impossible to find somewhere new to live.

"When you've got two dogs, especially an XL bully, people automatically won't accept you," he said.

"I understand some people why they do it but they need to give more people a chance.

"I've offered people £500 per dog as a deposit, and they still won't accept it."

Mr Burlison said both of his dogs were very well behaved

Mr Burlison said both his dogs were properly looked after and well behaved.

He said he was not prepared to give them up to find a home and was currently living in a caravan outside his parents house.

"People are not understanding - they're not just a pet they are family," he said.

Mr Burlison inherited Remi the American bully XL from his cousin

American bully XLs are being added to the list of banned dogs in England and Wales from 1 February next year.

It follows a number of attacks involving the breed.

Earlier this year the BBC found there were thousands of adverts for rental homes that said children or pets were not welcome.

Under the Renters (Reform) Bill, being considered by Parliament, tenants would be given the legal right to request to keep a pet in their home, which the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.