Venue owner responds to calls for licence review after 'dangerous dogs' were allowed to enter unmuzzled at show

The dog show event sparked controversy when West Midlands Police called for a review of the venue's licence by Wolverhampton Council over 'serious concerns' that the event 'had the prohibited breed of XL bullies in attendance', and that 'there were unmuzzled XL bullies' in close proximity to children. 

But venue bosses have now hit back at the safety concerns, saying that 'the event in question was a dog show for all breeds, explicitly inclusive of XL Bullies' and that 'there is no evidence to substantiate claims that XL Bullies at the event were unmuzzled or posed a risk to public safety'.

A spokesperson for The Hangar, said: "The event in question was a dog show for all breeds, explicitly inclusive of XL Bullies, a breed that, to date, is not unlawful to have at a dog show or in public. This fact alone dispels the implication that the event was in any way unlawful or inappropriate. The XL Bully breed’s inclusion was consistent with the event's aim to celebrate and showcase a variety of dog breeds. 

"Importantly, there is no verifiable evidence to substantiate claims that XL Bullies present at the event were unmuzzled or posed any risk to public safety.

"Speculative assertions without factual evidence serve only to inflame public opinion unfairly. To ensure the safety and welfare of all attendees, dog specialists were present on-site during the event, overseeing and advising on the management of the dogs. This demonstrates the care and responsibility exercised by the organisers."

Police had said they were concerned about the premises' ability to safeguard the public, and the 'failure to sufficiently inform police licensing' of the events they choose to hold.

The spokesperson for The Hangard said: "The Hangar has successfully hosted two previous dog shows without any issues.

"Both events were well-received and conducted without incident, further demonstrating our commitment to safety and professionalism. The claims arising from this specific event are inconsistent with our track record and unfairly tarnish the reputation of a venue that has consistently acted responsibly.

"The Hangar remains deeply committed to public safety and regulatory compliance with our team consistently striving to uphold the licensing objectives and proactively addressing concerns as they arise. This includes our ongoing efforts to cooperate with authorities by providing requested information and proposing stricter, more enforceable licence conditions to enhance accountability.

"Even though we held another event post the one detailed, as the police have raised concerns and issues, we have even agreed to no longer host dog shows to ease any concerns they may have."

Following the controversy, the group insisted that it 'takes its responsibility to the community seriously' and that they reiterate their 'willingness to collaborate' with police and relevant authorities.

They said: "We reiterate our willingness to collaborate with the police and all relevant authorities to resolve any outstanding concerns about The Hangar’s operations. We urge the police to act within the bounds of their authority, engage in constructive dialogue, and avoid actions that undermine public confidence in due process.

"The Hangar takes its responsibility to the community seriously, and we remain committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and lawful environment for all our events. However, accountability must also extend to the police to ensure fairness, transparency, and adherence to their own professional standards."

The authority's licensing committee will meet on Thursday, January 16, to review the venue's licence.