Angus XL Bully sanctuary slammed for third time by inspectors

An Angus kennel has been criticised by inspectors for the third time as it attempts to secure a licence to become Scotland’s first XL Bully sanctuary.

The All Bullie Rescue Charity has been working to secure permission for the premises to open at the Happas Canine Centre near Forfar.

Kerryanne Shaw launched the charity after moving to Angus from Glasgow in 2024, in an effort to establish the facility.

Currently, 25 bull-type dogs, including six XL Bullies, are housed at the kennels.

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 However, the appeal was withdrawn to allow for a new licence application to be submitted.

Now, a fresh report carried out by Angus Council’s animal welfare inspector has again recommended that the charity should not be granted a licence.

The report outlines that “on entry to the reception room, there was a strong smell of faeces” and at the time of inspection, “the back room of the kennels was full of rubbish”.

Concerns were also raised regarding the facility’s “extremely dirty” kitchen area, including the “mix of dog and human items with no separation”.

A one-to-25 ratio of staff to animals was also flagged as a concern.

Angus Council’s licensing conditions for day boarding kennels recommend a one-to-six ratio.

Policy and procedure material submitted in the licence application was also slammed as “haphazard”.

However, the report also states that “all animals seem in good health and appear in good weight and condition”, with some kennel guarding, but generally just excitement of new people visiting the kennels.”

The application will be considered by the Angus Council’s civic licensing committee next week.