No SSPCA visit to Angus XL Bully kennels since 2023
Angus kennels which could become Scotland's first XL Bully sanctuary have not been visited by the SSPCA since a charity campaigner took them over last year.
The facility at Happas, near Forfar, is at the centre of a court appeal over Angus Council's refusal to grant All Bullie Charity Rescue an animal welfare licence.
A hearing in the case has been set for August.
The charity recently admitted it was 'desperately struggling' for funds. It said it needs thousands of pounds for vital surgery on two animals.
There are more than 20 dogs at the kennels, including several XL bullies.
Happas is currently unlicensed after the boarding permit held by the kennels' owner expired at the end of last year.
It comes as the SSPCA announced it is axing an animal rescue and rehoming centre just a couple of miles away.
Following confirmation of the four-month gap before the appeal is considered, The Courier asked Angus Council and the SSPCA if they had any welfare concerns around dogs currently housed at Happas.
We also asked if there were plans to engage with All Bullie Charity Rescue while the appeal is ongoing.
The SSPCA said: 'We haven't been asked or had any part in anything to do with these kennels since our previous involvement.'
At the end of 2023, the charity was called in following concerns around conditions at Happas under kennels owner Jeremy Barron.
It followed a number of complaints made to Angus Council. The investigation was completed and no action was taken.
The probe was prior to All Bullie Charity Rescue moving to Angus to develop the XL Bully hub.
The SSPCA added: 'The part-hearing and subsequent postponement until August of the appeal regarding the licence application as a welfare centre is a matter for Angus Council and the courts.'
An Angus Council spokesperson said: 'Environmental consumer protection, along with partner agencies, will continue to monitor the premises and respond as appropriate to any circumstances required.'
It did not confirm the frequency of any visits which would be carried out at Happas.
The council added: 'Advice and guidance will always be available to anyone seeking such assistance in respect of all proposed licensable activities.'
At the weekend, the SSPCA made the sudden announcement it is closing its nearby animal rescue centre.
The Petterden facility is just a mile or so along the A90.
The centre rescued and rehomed animals from Tayside and Fife.
However, the charity said rising costs and the need to make 'significant savings' meant Petterden is no longer viable.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
XL bully owner admits offences after fatal attack near Banbury
A woman has admitted having two XL bullies which were dangerously out of control and killed another Roberts, 36, admitted two counts of possession of a fighting dog and two counts of allowing the dogs to be in a public place without a muzzle or lead at Oxford Magistrates' Court on of De La Warr Drive, Banbury, also admitted two counts of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected charges relate to an incident in which a schnoodle dog, Winnie, was killed by the two XL bullies, Kobi and Kardi, in Hanwell, near Banbury, on 26 March. Roberts' sentencing was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. She will be sentenced at the magistrates' court on 18 July. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Courier
04-06-2025
- The Courier
Carnoustie man fights on in static caravan battle after admitting bid to block council removal
A Carnoustie man now facing a council bill for the removal of an unlawful static caravan from his garden is vowing to continue his two-year planning fight. On Monday, Angus Council took direct action to clear the one-time Airbnb holiday home in Ireland Street. It has been at the centre of a lengthy planning tussle which ended in potential disaster last month. Mr Lindsay's garden borders the main east coast rail line. He knocked down part of a concrete wall while trying to bring the caravan back into the garden in breach of a council enforcement order. Rail services between Dundee and Aberdeen were suspended for hours during the clear-up operation. It had been hanging over the pavement at Ireland Street since May 22, until contractors arrived to move it on Monday morning. However, it involved a day-long operation during which Mr Lindsay, 50, admitted using his Tesla car to block the caravan in to prevent it being towed away. He said he has been told he must foot the removal bill. The mobile home is now in a storage yard. 'There was a bundle of complaints from neighbours, then roads got involved,' he said. 'Roads were very good, they were patient with me. But they said it was obstructing the pavement. 'They gave me a date to remove it on my own, or they would remove it at cost to me. 'Yesterday (Monday) was D-Day. 'I was trying my best to move it on my own. Two feet was all I had left to go.' He added: 'There was a bit of a protest from me because I parked my car in front of it. 'They then said they would tow the car, which could have damaged it because it is electric. 'I was weighing up my options – my car or the caravan.' He continued: 'I'm still overwhelmed by the whole situation. It stinks of abuse of power against the little guy.' He added: 'I don't know where the money is going to come from. I told them I can't afford it being removed.' Mr Lindsay lodged an application for a certificate of lawful use for the caravan in April. He says it is now stripped out and will be used for garden storage and as a family snug. But he previously admitted 'jumping the gun' by trying to bring the mobile home back on site before an official decision on the application. 'My legal argument is it's a former caravan that's now a structure. 'I will take the wheels off and use it for storage and to play games, pool etc. 'It's whether they (the council) think it's a caravan, the burden of proof is on them. 'If my application is refused, I have an appeal process.' An Angus Council spokesperson said: 'The removal of the caravan was the conclusion of a legal process followed by Angus Council.' It said it would be 'liaising with the owner regarding next steps'. 'The planning application is pending decision and has a determination deadline of June 14,' the spokesperson added.
Press and Journal
03-06-2025
- Press and Journal
Inside Aberdeen's danger dog crackdown as police lift lid on illegal breeds after XL bully kills owner
Police bosses have lifted the lid on their efforts to clamp down on Aberdeen danger dogs since the controversial XL Bully ban a year ago. The force was asked to compile the dossier, recently presented to council chiefs, after a woman was killed by one of the dogs in a savage attack on Foresterhill Road. Michelle McLeod died in December when her XL Bully named Bailey turned violent. Described by her family as a 'beloved mum, daughter and friend', Michelle was pronounced dead at the scene. Bailey was euthanised following the tragic incident. This is just one of the danger dogs police have dealt with across the city in the past 12 months. The UK Government has outlawed the ownership of certain dog breeds deemed to be dangerous. These dogs are seized by police and are often later euthanised. However, there are exemptions where owners are deemed fit and meet several requirements. This includes muzzling, microchipping, neutering, and more. The report details that there are more than 3,300 certificated dangerous dogs across Scotland. And 278 of these are registered to the Aberdeen area. XL Bully dogs were added to the banned breed list in the UK in February 2024. It later became illegal to own one without an exemption certificate in July of that year. This new report reveals that, between April 1 last year and March 31 in 2025, there were 50 cases related to dogs recorded by police in Aberdeen. It should be noted that only 13 of these cases involve XL Bullies, with no other banned breeds featuring across the cases. These 13 cases involve only 10 different dogs, with seven recorded as dogs 'dangerously out of control' and six offences linked to exemption conditions. Four dogs were put down after their owners were charged with offences. The 50 cases of dog-related incidents in Aberdeen are an increase on the numbers from previous years. In the same timespan between 2023 and 2024, there were 38 dog-related cases recorded, with 37 categorised as dogs dangerously out of control, and one instance where a dog was not muzzled or on a lead. The year between 2022 to 2023 saw 32 cases, all of which were dogs dangerously out of control. Each of these two previous years' cases did not involve any banned breeds. Despite numbers suggesting an increase in dangerous dogs in the Granite City, the number of out-of-control dogs has declined from the previous year. This goes to show that the increase in dog-related crimes is more linked to the legislation banning XL Bullys.
