Angus XL Bully sanctuary licence refused again after facility branded 'dirty and smelling of faeces'

A bid to establish Scotland’s first XL Bully sanctuary has been refused again following a damning inspection.

The All Bullie Rescue Charity wants to secure permission for the sanctuary to open at the Happas Canine Centre near Forfar.

Charity figurehead Kerryanne Shaw moved to Angus from Glasgow in 2024 to set up the facility.

Angus councillors previously rejected the charity’s application for an animal welfare licence in February.

The charity was due to contest the licence refusal at Forfar Sheriff Court in August.

However, the appeal was withdrawn to allow for a new licence application to be submitted.

A fresh application went before the civil licensing committee on Thursday.

Facility slammed in council inspection report

Councillors heard that a recent inspection report carried out by the local authority’s animal welfare inspector again highlighted a series of failings at the premises.

Concerns were raised regarding the facilites “extremely dirty” kitchen and “a strong smell of faeces” upon entering the kennels’ reception area.

The ratio of staffing levels to the animals housed at the facility was also raised as a concern.

During Thursday’s meeting, Ms Shaw’s legal representative Jacob Cohen asked committee members to allow a four-month deferral to address the issues raised.

This would include the renovation of the reception area, partitioning the kitchen into separate spaces for human and animal use, as well as hiring a cleaner for the facility.

A further paid member of staff would also be sought to help Ms Shaw and a new system to delegate administrative and record-keeping work would be developed.

Councillors refuse licence

Despite these pleas, the application was refused by the committee.

Councillors expressed concerns over whether the required improvements could be made.

SNP councillor Beth Whiteside said: “Reluctantly, I don’t think we can be satisfied that the conditions are likely to be met.

“I think there is an awful lot of work needing to be done. I don’t think we have any other option but to refuse.”

Councillor Linda Clark added: “It’s sad but I would have to say the same – I don’t see what else I can do because there is nothing today that comforts me.”

Council leader George Meechan put forward an amendment seeking to grant the requested four-month deferral of the decision but failed to get the backing of fellow councillors.