David Raya training banned XL Bully dog to guard him after terrifying break-ins

26 February 2024 , 10:17

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David Raya has owned XL Bully Goku since the dog was a puppy (Image: @t.trouboul/Instagram)

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has begun training his XL Bully dog to protect him in light of a number of Premier League stars having their homes broken into, it has been claimed.

The XL Bully has been added to the list of banned dogs in the UK after a number of attacks, with owners given until February 1 to register their animals. Those with an exemption certificate have been allowed to keep the pets, though, and Raya is understood to come under this category.

Spanish international Raya, 28, has had pet Goku since the dog was a puppy, with the pet living in a secure cage at the footballer's London home. And, according to The Sun, the on-loan stopper has hired a firm called Elite Protection Dogs to help him train the animal.

Several Premier League footballers have been hit by break-ins in recent years. Raheem Sterling returned home from England's World Cup camp in 2022 after an incident at his home, while Jack Grealish's home was targeted in December and Newcastle star Joelinton suffered a burglary at his home while he was out watching his team-mates against Manchester City.

Raya and his girlfriend Tatiana have shared photos of Goku on social media, and their dog trainers have moved to allay any fears over the ability of the keeper - on loan from Brentford - to look after the dog. “David Raya has one XL Bully. He is called Goku, he is a one-year-old. David’s had him since a puppy," a spokesperson told The Sun.

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“Everyone with XL Bullys is ­worried. But David is a responsible owner, he wants to be responsible with him. We are training Goku on a long-term contract.”

"We are an international team of protection dog developers with 35 years of experience in cynology, including a team of professional dog handlers/trainers and a head office based in the heart of London," Elite Protection Dogs say on their website. "We have been brought together by one idea- to create a superdog with elite genes and skills."

What are your thoughts on footballers owning XL Bully dogs? Have your say in the comments section

David Raya and his girlfriend with their dog (d.raya1/Instagram)

Raya has an exemption which allows him to own Goku (@t.trouboul/Instagram)

Raya, who began the season battling with Aaron Ramsdale for the starting spot at Arsenal, came in for criticism in his early weeks in North London. Since then, though, he has helped the Gunners bring themselves back into the title race after what he admitted himself was a challenging start.

"I think you need time to adapt to a new team, new club, new facilities and new demands," Raya said in January after Arsenal beat Crystal Palace. "It’s not easy, but I think I am finding my feet and I am finding myself now. Of course I am feeling part of the team."

Raya has started 21 of Arsenal's last 22 league games, only sitting out the meeting with parent club Brentford due to Premier League rules. He has conceded 19 times in those matches, and just three times in six games since the turn of the year as Mikel Arteta's side have posted a 100 percent league record in 2024.

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Tom Victor