Elderly Fife couple ‘in constant state of fear’ over XL bully dog in flat
An elderly Fife couple are living in a “constant state of fear” due to an XL bully dog living in a property below their home, a councillor has claimed.
Bailey-Lee Robb spoke out at Thursday’s Fife Council meeting when he urged housing spokesperson, Councillor Judy Hamilton, to provide help to the residents.
“I have two elderly constituents living in a state of constant fear due to the XL bully downstairs in one of our properties that is regularly out and about without a muzzle including in their garden, the shared access path and right at their front door,” he said.
“Neither the police nor the housing service are being the most supportive here so I ask you, will you look at the specific case and help my constituents once and for all?”
Cllr Robb (Cowdenbeath, SNP) raised the question, asking why the housing service is yet to implement a “comprehensive” pet policy regarding XL bully dogs after safeguards were introduced by the Scottish Government in 2024.
Cllr Hamilton said relevant information was currently being gathered.
“I am being told information is being gathered and evidence from the Scottish Housing Network and Police Scotland but we are waiting for final guidance,” she said. “At the moment, only the police or the sheriff can instruct the removal of a dog.”
While welcoming that work was ongoing, Cllr Robb said Fife Council’s stance was “not good enough”.
He added: “Housing associations including Kingdom and Ore Valley as well as other local authorities including West Lothian have had policies in place since just after the legislation was introduced.
“West Lothian Council has a ban on a number of dangerous dogs living in their properties. It seems like Fife is being left behind.”