A space for XL Bullies to roam free in private is wanted in Macclesfield, following a governmental ban restricting the dog breed.

Dogwalker Amberleigh Williams, and friend Nadean McDonald, have teamed up to create Dee's Bully Haven.

The Haven is a plan for a paddock for dog owners to walk the breed, which has attracted negative media coverage in recent months from high profile attacks.

The concept was created into response of legislation which came into effect on December 31.

A ban on walking the dogs without a lead in public spaces was put in to force at the end of last year.

New restrictions on the XL Bully dogs are now in force, making it a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.

"The owners can walk their dogs here without having to worry, as at the moment they can not take them anywhere [in public] off a lead," said Amber.

"There aren't many dog paddocks that will allow XL Bullies, but we have found one of the only insurances that accepts them, and have created a paddock of our own.

"We have found the land we want to rent, which was a former dog daycare centre.

The breed is also known as 'American Bully'.

"There are two paddocks of an acre each, all with six-foot fencing. How it works is, you can book through Facebook, pending certificate and insurance, coming along for your pre-booked timeslot.

"If they have an XL Bully and another breed of dog, they can still use the field. 

"We are going to make it fun for them, with things like agility tables."

The paddock would like to open at the end of the month, but to achieve this they need to hit the ground running with funds to cover their ingoing costs.

XL bullies were incorporated into the Dangerous Dogs Act on 31 October 2023, giving owners two months to prepare for the ban. And this new Macclesfield venture has a solution to allow the pre-existing Macclesfield XL Bullies to get some exercise.

As a result, a crowdfunder has been launched with a £5000 target. £755 has been raised so far.

Macclesfield pub The White Lion are also set to sponsor the paddock in its first month. 

"A big thank you to everyone that has donated, it all goes towards the dogs, we have some banners we are putting up on The Silk Road and Manchester Road with more information," added Amber.

"It is called Dee's Bully Haven, which is named after my business partner's dog, he is not an XL but he is a bully type and he is in his final years."

Click the red link below or enter https://www.gofundme.com/f/dees-bully-haven?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer into your browser to donate.

Macclesfield: You can donate towards the opening of Dee's Bully Haven HERE.

In addition to the new leash laws, owners of the breed should register their pet with the government by February 1.

From 30 June, XL Bully dogs over 1 year old must be neutered, this is extended until the 31 December for younger dogs.