AN American XL Bully lover has hit out at "irresponsible owners" - and says her pet is so soft she was attacked by a tiny Jack Russell.

Kaylee Hankins, 32, says 16-month-old Isla is loved by locals in Minchinhampton.

She said the family pet is adored by sons Harley, 7, and Leo, 14, who cuddle up with her on the sofa every morning.

Describing Isla as an "amazingly loyal family companion", she told how she was pounced on by an off-lead Jack Russell a few months ago.

The tiny terrier hit into the XL bully at full speed, causing her to tumble to the ground.

She cowered down petrified as it barked, and didn't retaliate.

Stroud News and Journal: American XL Bully owner from Minchinhampton speaks out

Beauty therapist Kaylee hit out at irresponsible owners, who "let an amazing breed down" by training them to be aggressive or failing to train them at all.

The government announced last week it would be taking steps to ban American XL bullys.

Kaylee said said: "I've heard of people using growth hormones to get them bigger, cross-breeding them with bigger breeds and training them to be aggressive because they want the image of a big scary dog.

"But they are not scary.

"They get into the wrong hands - I feel like some owners have let an amazing breed down.

"It's awful for the victims that suffered in the attacks of XL bullys, but again, these dogs have been improperly trained by careless owners."

Kaylee said Isla was "very easy to train" and hasn't ever shown a hint of aggression.

She said: "Harley was home all the time when we got Isla as a puppy. They are best friends now.

"As soon as he comes down in the morning, they cuddle up on the sofa together - they are pretty inseparable.

"She comes on the school run every day and is greeted by all sorts of dogs and people of all ages.

"Everyone around here adores her - she’s like the famous dog of Minchinhampton. If I've not got her with me, they all ask where she is.

"We've even had people stop their cars and jump out to see her, people we don't know.

"The postman knocks at the door just to say hello to her, even if he doesn't have any post for us. Isla loves him.

"Leo often takes Isla out on his own and looks after her all day - he's good as gold with her."

Kaylee doesn't support the government's proposed ban on XL bully dogs - but says she would support a licencing system.

She said: "I don't believe banning the breed will work, people will work around the law.

"I’d be happy to get her assessed and get a licence.

"I think it’s cruel to class my dog as a dangerous dog when she’s not a dangerous dog.

"You would be putting my dog into the same category as killer dogs — when she’s far from it. She is an amazingly loyal family companion.

"I know quite a few XL bullys; her sister lives about ten minutes from us. My partner's brother has one too.

"I’ve never heard of any incidents around here with them, they are all like Isla, friendly - as she should be.

"If they ban her, she’ll have to wear a muzzle out in public and it will give the impression she’s a dangerous dog when she’s not."

Restrictions will be placed on American XL bully dogs to “safely manage” them once a ban on the breed comes into force.

Owners of American XL bullies will not face a cull of their pets after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised to ban the breed following a spate of dog attacks.

But Downing Street said measures will be put in place to cover the “existing population” of the dogs in response to concerns that they will still be allowed on the streets once a ban on new owners comes in.

Existing owners could face a requirement to neuter their dogs and muzzle them in public, the Government’s chief vet has suggested.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We will need to safely manage the existing population of these dogs.

"Exactly what that looks like will be a topic for the consultation.

“And there will need to be some sort of transition period.”

The Chief Veterinary Officer indicated on Saturday that there will be an “amnesty” approach to American XL bullies, echoing the way the ban on pit bull terriers under the Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced in the 1990s.

Professor Christine Middlemiss said owners will need to register their American XL bully, with the dog required to be neutered and muzzled and on a lead when in public.

They will also need to be insured.

She stressed that anyone complying with the new restrictions will be able to keep their dog.