Is Scotland’s first XL Bully sanctuary set to secure licence?

Scotland’s first XL Bully sanctuary could be close to securing the official go-ahead following the latest inspection report’s recommendations.

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 Bully’s, have been housed at the unlicensed 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.

Now, a fresh licensing bid is due to go before councillors for a decision next week.

A report drafted ahead of the civic licensing committee has revealed a “marked improvement” in areas condemned in previous inspections.

This includes record-keeping, hygiene and security at the kennel.

The report states that all the animals are in good health, with no welfare issues raised.

The kennels are also described as being “old but in generally good condition.”

It is also detailed that work has been carried out to secure the exercise area to prevent dogs from escaping.

The kitchen area was also described as “clear with defined separation of dog and human items”.

Facility owner Jeremy Barron is listed as the emergency stand-in for Ms Shaw.

The report further indicates that there are now six volunteers involved in the operation at various times.

But it adds: “Although the number of volunteers has increased, the cleaning, feeding and daily running of the kennels is still down to Ms Shaw.

“The daily running of the kennels is still a ratio of 1:26.”

However, the report does not support a request for the licence to allow 32 dogs to be kept.

It says consideration should be given to “capping numbers at the existing 26”.

It adds that no more dogs should be allowed until “the ratio of people to animals can be sustained and is sufficient to maintain and enhance the welfare of the existing animals.”

However, the report also outlines that a welfare inspector was refused access to the premises during an unannounced visit on June 12.

An arranged visit was then carried out on June 25.

Despite this, the report concludes that “the applicant is likely to meet, or is capable of meeting,” both the general licence conditions and the activity-specific licence conditions.