Dog lovers to hold 'Bully walk' to show 'how gentle the breed can be'

28 September 2023 , 14:20

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Jake Harris has organised a mass XL Bully walk (Image: Jake Harris)

A mass XL Bully walk will still go ahead this weekend, despite an online backlash that saw communities express their concern for the safety of members of the public.

Jake Harris, 21, organised the gathering, scheduled for Saturday, to show how gentle the breed could be in the wake of a spate of savage attacks, including the death of a dad in a rural village. Mr Harris initially said he hoped to see as many children and families as possible at the walk, which will start in Handsworth Park in Handsworth, Birmingham.

But following the criticism online, Mr Harris told followers the plans had changed and no dogs would be allowed at the event. And, in a second U-turn, he decided XL Bullies under six months old would be welcomed at the protest.

Rishi Sunak said the XL Bully breed will be banned (PA Wire)

An advert for the walk has been widely shared on social media in the wake of Rishi Sunak's announcement the breed will be banned by the end of the year. In a win for the Mirror's campaign, he called XL Bullies "a danger to our communities". Mr Harris and his followers disputed that, and believed Saturday's march will prove Mr Sunak wrong, reports BirminghamLive.

"Everyone has their own opinion on this breed but there are a lot of good opinions out there as well. If all goes to plan for Saturday, there may be people turning up with families," Mr Harris told BBC News.

Girl, 4, mauled to death in dog attack pictured as neighbours hear mum's screams

"It wasn't meant to be some big walk that has now blown all over the social media. This was literally just a few mates coming together to have a little Bully meet.

"So if you want to come and you want to bring a dog, bring a puppy. Don't bring no big, full-grown dog. It's not going to be one of them actual meets, it's turned into more of a protest."

West Midlands Constabulary said: "We're aware of the planned event and are making efforts to contact the organisers to discuss their plans." Handsworth Park, which is in the northwest of the city, is a big, green space with landscaped grass slopes, a large boating lake and a smaller pond, flowerbeds, mature trees and shrubs with a diversity of wildlife.

Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment for Birmingham City Council which owns Handsworth Park, said: "It is not a legal requirement for a protest organiser to seek the permission of the local authority in relation to a demonstration on public land, but we strongly encourage organisers to engage with us, as is also the case with events.

"We have not been approached by those behind the reported gathering that is being discussed online, but I would urge them to contact our parks team in advance, so we can advise them on the suitability of any given space and we must be satisfied the event would not present any unreasonable risks to public safety."

Alexander Brock