XL Bully puppy owner plans candlelit vigil ahead of New Year dog breed ban

30 December 2023 , 11:03

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XL Bully pups such as these may have to be put down if owners don't want them anymore, the owners said (Image: Getty Images/500px)

A couple who own two XL Bully pups plan to light a candle for all the dogs who they think will have to be killed after the government ban on the breed comes into force.

The pair from Cornwall appealed to other dog lovers to join them on New Year's Eve, when the ban becomes law, for a vigil and a walk on a beach. The ban means that from the end of this week, no XL Bully dogs can be bred, sold, rehomed, abandoned or exchanged in any way.

Lowenna Lambert and Mark Burke say the law will mean that many of the canines will end up having to be put to sleep should owners decide they no longer want them. So they have decided that the best way to honour any XL Bully dogs that will or have already lost their lives due to the ban is to show their support with the event.

The dog-loving pair from Truro are holding their vigil on Perranporth beach, south of Newquay. Lowenna told CornwallLive: "I'd love it if we could create enough light with our candles so the dogs in heaven will know we think of them," while partner Mark, who shares six dogs in total with Lowenna – including a French bulldog and German shepherd, added: "We have two XL bully pups who are 13 weeks old because they were going to be put down otherwise. We love all animals but bulldog-type dogs are special and I love them all, full stop.

"We got ours from a litter of 10 and the mum was about to give birth to an accidental litter when the ban was announced. I would have taken all 10 if I could."

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He said it breaks his heart that XL Bully dogs face being put to sleep if they don't have a home in a matter of days, and added: "Rescues haven't got the room to keep the XL Bullys permanently so they have got literally two days, and if they have not found homes they will get put down, which is ridiculous."

On the event page, Lowenna said: "Instead of raising a drink this New Year, with a heavy heart I will be lighting a candle on the beach to honour XLs across the UK. Please join us in creating some light and love for all the innocent dogs that have or will lose their lives throughout the UK, through no fault of their own.

"From the 31st of December many, many innocent dogs and puppies will be put to forever sleep. I'm so sorry we can't save them all, but we can honour them and never forget them. All breeds of dogs welcome. It would be lovely to see the XL/Bulldog community come together and show that we won't stop fighting!"

Lisa Letcher