XL Bully meet-up taking place in Stafford park on Saturday, as police say 'we will be in the area'
A meeting of XL Bully owners and their dogs has been planned for a Stafford park on Saturday as organisers say they want to show the "true colours" of the breed.
It comes as organisers of a similar event in Birmingham changed plans for a protest walk by telling owners not to bring their dogs after receiving criticism online.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the American XL Bully breed would be banned before the end of the year after two dogs, understood to be XL Bullies, fatally attacked 52-year-old Ian Price in Stonnall last Thursday.
The father-of-two's death sparked outrage across the country but the issue of banning the breed has become contentious for many dog lovers.
An online petition, "Bad owners are to blame not the breed - don't ban the XL bully", has received more than 560,000 signatures in the last week.
Now, a meet-up for XL Bully owners has been planned for 1pm on Saturday in Wildwood Park, so owners can "show the true colours of our loving dogs".
A mass XL Bully walk that was also being organised by campaigners in Birmingham for Saturday, September 30 has been toned down with owners told not to bring their dogs after a public backlash to the event.
Responding to community concerns about the meeting in Wildwood Park, Staffordshire Police has said Police Community Support Officers will be in the area to offer reassurances to anyone who is concerned.
Furthermore, they are reminding the public that certain areas of the park are out of bounds for all dogs, and requires them to be on a lead at all times.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "Local officers are continuing to liaise with the event organisers and have shared the community’s concerns following after the tragic incident in Stonnall recently.
"Certain areas of Wildwood Park are covered by Stafford Borough’s public space protection order (PSPO). This means that certain areas are out of bounds for dogs and requires them to be on a lead and fully controlled at all times.
"Police Community Support Officers will be in the area during the event to offer reassurances to anyone who may be concerned."
The meet-up is being held on the same day as a candle-lit vigil for Ian Price, where people can show their support for Ian's family and friends.
The vigil will be held at the Stonnall Playing Fields at 7pm on Saturday, before a book of condolences will be taken into the Royal Oak Stonnall for people to sign from about 8pm.
A fundraiser for Ian's family, organised by close friend, Rob Ellwood, has now surpassed £21,000. To donate, go to: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rob-ellwood
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