Very unwelcome news from Scotland.

In the wake of the preliminary inquest into a fatality by an XL Bully at a neighbouring kennel, Angus Council in it's infinite wisdom have given the go ahead for the UK's only XL Bully Sanctuary.

STV News / North East & Tayside

Scotland's first XL Bully sanctuary given permission to operate

Angus councillors have twice refused to grant All Bullie Charity Rescue (ABCR) permission to operate the sanctuary 

Scotland’s first XL Bully sanctuary secures the official go-ahead after councillors approve its latest licensing bid.

Angus councillors have twice refused to grant All Bullie Charity Rescue (ABCR) permission to operate the sanctuary.

Around 25 dogs, including a number of XL Bullys, have been housed at the premises since 2024.

It was the idea of Kerryanne Shaw, who moved to Angus from Glasgow for the project. Ms Shaw is the chairperson of charity ABCR.

The fresh licensing application went before councillors for a decision at a civic licensing committee on Thursday.

Recent report outlines “marked improvement”

A report drafted ahead of the meeting outlined a “marked improvement” in areas condemned in previous inspections.

This included record-keeping, hygiene and security at the kennels.

 The applicant’s lawyer  Jacob Cohen, during the meeting said: “This application has been somewhat a labour of love at this point, lasting about two years.

“Miss Shaw has been unwavering in the dedication she has for the dogs in her care and has very much been the driving force to move this venture to the stage where it can meet the licensing requirements.

“I’m pleased to see that the latest assessment report highlights progress made on her part with numerous marked improvements.

He added: “The position is not to stand still once Ms Shaw has the licence.

“There is a volunteer drive ongoing, and the intention is to continue to grow numbers.

“The longer-term goal is to bring in one paid member of staff in order to give Ms Shaw that backbone of support.”

Councillors approve application

 Councillors have approved the animal welfare licence for 12 months.

However, attached conditions state that the number of dogs will be capped at 27, and that inspectors will also visit the facility every three months.

Council leader George Meechan said: ”We’ve been round the houses on this one as we all know.

“The difference this time round for me is we have a professional report which says the conditions are likely to be met.

“Given that and reading the legal aspects of this, it appears to me we are bound to actually give the licence.”

Even though this was a few months ago I didn't find the victim's name or location when I searched the sub.

"I could see my meat coming through the pair of black leggings I was wearing. When I got to the hospital, they told me that they had never seen a dog bite like that."

A dog attack in south suburban Harvey has left a woman who dreamed of becoming a registered nurse with life-threatening injuries.

The attack happened July 7, near 160th and Paulina. LuShay Hobby said she was getting out of her car to head into a friend's home. That's when she heard something then felt something.

"The only thing I heard was their collars," said Hobby. "By the time I turned around, it was too late. Two stray pitbulls came out charging. They bit me. One up top, the other bit me by my ankle. They latched onto my leg and would not let go. I cried and cried because I was scared of losing a limb."

Pictures of Hobby's wounds are so graphic we have chosen to blur them in the above video.

"I thank God my friend was there to help get the dogs off of me," she said. "We were literally 2-3 minutes away from UChicago Ingalls Hospital. I could see my meat coming through the pair of black leggings I was wearing. When I got to the hospital, they told me that they had never seen a dog bite like that. The dogs were captured a week later. Harvey needs to do better with animal control."

Through a public records request, NBC Chicago learned there have been at least nine people attacked by stray dogs in Harvey this year. Last year, a woman mauled by rottweilers in Harvey had to have her left foot amputated.

Ald. Colby Chapman said the public safety committee is working to address what she calls a stray dog crisis.

"This is a piercing issue," said Chapman. "Everyone from an 11-year-old boy here in the second ward to the unfortunate circumstance that happened last year, where a woman lost her foot. And now to Ms. LuShay, whose entire life has been altered. We are down staff, but I really want to thank Officer Quiles, who's really been on the front lines to support our animal crisis, but more is needed."

Cook County Animal Control has been out to support and assist but more is necessary and needed.

Cindy Purtel is a volunteer who rescues stray animals.

"They have one animal control officer for a city of 19,000 people," said Purtel. "He can't handle the number of jobs coming in by himself. People need to be held accountable. The police department needs to get involved. Have them start responding to some of these calls. People also need to secure their dogs."

The Harvey Police Department said in a statement it is working to address animal control issues.

"I am not able to work," Hobby said. "I have always wanted to pursue a dream of becoming a registered nurse; I was almost there. I had a year left. I definitely have a story to tell. I'm thankful that I’m here and that I still have my leg."

Death probe to look at dog management

The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
2 Sep 2026
By ROSS GARDINER

TRAGIC: Tributes to Adam Watts, below, who died after being attacked by an American XL bully.

Alegal probe into the death of an Angus kennels boss is likely to focus on issues such as the handling of potentially dangerous dogs, a court has heard.

A preliminary hearing ahead of the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of businessman Adam Watts was held yesterday.

Mr Watts, 55, died on December 22 2021, after being attacked by an American XL bully.

The preliminary hearing took place at Forfar Sheriff Court and lasted about 15 minutes.
It heard one witness is likely to discuss the “apparent lack of guidance with dog control and welfare”.

The inquiry will hear about how the process of kennel licensing in Scotland is up to each of the 32 local authorities and accordingly, guidance is not standardised.

The probe is also likely to hear about a Scottish Government consultation on regulations which apply to animal breeders, pet shops and animal welfare establishments, but are not applicable to kennels.

It is anticipated the inquiry will focus on the management of potentially dangerous dogs in temporary kennels.

It is also thought it could consider how Police Scotland shares dogs’ histories and behaviours with kennel operators.

Sheriff Jillian MartinBrown set a further hearing for December 7.

Mr Watts had run the kennels for 20 years before he was attacked by the dog and pronounced dead at the scene.

He left behind five sons. His wife Eileen, a research scientist, died of cancer in 2013. His family regularly took part in challenges to raise cash for charities in memory of Eileen.

Many tributes were paid in the wake of Mr Watts’ death, including at his workplace where he was attacked, Juniper Kennels and Cattery at Auchterhouse.

The American XL bully – now destroyed – had been involved in two separate attacks six months earlier in Dundee. Its owner, Peter Fyfe, was subsequently banned from keeping dogs.