Owner Warned Against Kittens in XL Bully's Room, But He's 'Gentle as Ever'

A moving social media video has challenged the XL bully stereotype—that the breed can be aggressive and even dangerous—by sharing an adult bully's gentle interactions with a litter of kittens.

The short TikTok video features footage of Gunner, a 50-kilo American XL bully, tenderly caring for a litter of kittens in their shared home in the U.K. Despite the British government's recent ban on the breed, some owners who had secured a certificate of exemption from local authorities have been able to keep hold of what, in most cases is for them, a much loved pet as opposed to a threat.

The video, which has garnered over 147,000 views since it was uploaded on April, captured the gentle interaction between the dog who is named Gunner and the newborn kittens. Gunner's owner (@gunner_stunner) hoped that the video would provide a different narrative about the often misunderstood breed.

"Here we have my American XL bully who weighs 50kg being very sweet and gentle with my cats kittens," Gunner's owner, who'd prefer to keep their identity as "Gunner's mama," told Newsweek.

"I have been working for a while now on social media trying to change the narrative around the XL bully, and show the public in the U.K how amazing this breed can be with the correct owners," they added.

Gunner's owner had been initially advised by family members to bear in mind the kittens' mom, who they said would not be happy about the close proximity between the dog and her babies. Others worried that the innocent encounter could turn dangerous.

Gunner's mama had been actively posting on the dog's tailored social media accounts to try and counter public perceptions about XL bullies. The TikTok account's bio reads, "changing the XL bully narrative."

Have XL Bullies Been Banned?

This viral video emerges against a backdrop of stringent regulations surrounding the ownership of XL bully dogs, after a number of Brits were attacked and mauled to death by the breed.

In England and Wales, it is now a criminal offense to own or be in possession of an XL bully unless one has a valid certificate of exemption. The law also prohibits the sale, abandonment, or allowing such dogs to stray. Scotland is set to join the ban this summer, reflecting a growing trend across the U.K. questioning the safety of this breed.

The deadline for applying for an exemption in England and Wales has recently passed, and owners who missed it have been urged to contact their local police authority for guidance on exemption.

In contrast, Northern Ireland announced in March that XL bully dogs will not be banned in the country. This comes under new plans to restrict their ownership, and while it will remain legal to own one of the dogs, they must be muzzled and on a lead in public.

Critics of the breed often label XL bullies as inherently dangerous, but some dog owners like the one featured in the viral TikTok video argue that with responsible ownership, these dogs exhibit a gentle and protective nature.

Videos like these could serve as anecdotal evidence, challenging the typical portrayal of XL bullies and contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the breed.

As public and legal scrutiny of the XL bully continues to intensify, the conversation around breed-specific legislation remains polarized. For owners and advocates of XL bullies, the hope is that more positive examples like Gunner's story will foster a greater understanding and acceptance of the breed.

Reflecting on the impact of their social media efforts and Gunner's viral video, the owner expressed a hopeful sentiment in the post's caption.

"Goodest Gunner loves all the babies," they wrote.

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