Protesters gathered at Devonshire Green in Sheffield city centre on Saturday 28 October as part of a nationwide day of action against the government’s plan to ban the American XL Bully dog breed.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the breed is a “danger to our communities” during the announcement on 15 September.
Marchers also took to the streets in cities such as London, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin.
The protest was organised through Facebook by Sandra Odelga, an XL bully owner and campaigner for the end of breed-specific legislation.
She said: “We want to highlight the consequences of the ban, there’s currently 100,000s of families worried about their pets.
“Many owners have said it’s had a serious impact on their mental health.”
Ms Odlega added: “XL Bullies are often used as emotional support dogs for people with autism, and people that suffer with their mental health.”
The protest follows a court order of the destruction of two XL Bully dogs earlier this month at Sheffield Magistrates Court after a woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, was injured by the dogs.
They are to be banned by the end of the year despite the Dog Control Coalition, consisting of charities such as the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, arguing there is a lack of data behind the decision.
A spokesperson for the coalition said: “It will have significant impacts on owners, the animal welfare sector, and the public.”
A senior South Yorkshire Police officer has also shown support of the legislation.
Assistant Chief Constable Dan Thorpe said: “Without action, we fear it is only a matter of time until we experience another fatality within South Yorkshire.
“In addition to the threat these dogs pose to the public, we also must appreciate the danger posed by these dogs to our officers, they are humans too.”
