Owners and their XL Bully dogs meet up at park to show 'lovely breed' amid large police presence

Bully owners praised the breed saying they had "never had any problems" and hailed their nature as testament to their "good owners".

Keelan Hill, 21, who organised the meet up, said: "It is great so many owners and their dogs have turned up today and there has not been one problem.

"All these dogs are lovely because the owners are good people. The dogs are never a problem if they are looked after properly."

Keelan, who brought his six month old XL Bully Rambo, added: "The police told us if it was a Labrador get together they would never have come, but social media are giving our dogs a bad name."

After several high profile attacks and a fatality in Stonnall, Staffordshire, last week, there have been calls for the cross-breed XL Bully to be banned.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced steps to outlaw the dogs after a string of deaths and a social media campaign piled pressure on the Government to act.

As well as XL Bullies there were Staffordshire Pit Bulls, American Pit Bulls and other dogs at the meeting.

Vet's nurse Helena Kemble, 33, brought her three year old XL Lagatha because she is so passionate about the breed.

She said: "We had so many of them come to our vets I just fell in love with them. They have such a lovely manner and are so friendly.

"I then decided I wanted to have one all to myself, and Lagatha is fantastic around everyone. She is a lovely dog, I want people to know the dogs are not the problem."

Kris Haynes, who was with his Staffy Duke, wanted to show his support with his seven-year-old nephew Noah.

He said: "I walk my dog around this park every day and have never seen a police officer but today there seems to be loads because of these XL Bullies.

"They are always trying to demonise some breed or another, its not fair on the dogs. I've had rescue pits and they have been golden.

"Duke is as soft as anything and great round my nephew Noah."

Four Staffordshire Police cars and several officers as well as PCSOs were at Wildwood Park for the duration of the meet up.

Sergeant Luke Davies told the Express & Star: "We are here to provide reassurance and ensure the dog protection order which has been in force at the park for several years is adhered to.

"Dogs have to be on their leashes, dogs cannot be on the child's playground and there are other restrictions."

He added: "XL Bullies are the hot topic at the moment so we wanted to be around in case anything happened."