Woman guilty of breeding XL Bullies dog on Portland

Gemma Curtis, 44 and of Lovells Croft, Portland was found guilty of breeding fighting dogs and making a gift of a fighting dog at a trial at Weymouth Magistrates' Court.

She appeared in court alongside her co-defendant Levi Nathan-Curtis, 27 and of the same address who was charged with possession or custody of a fighting dog.

In August 2025, officers carried out a warrant at the address on Portland following a report of banned dogs breeds being kept and bred there.

Armed police attended following additional reports that 'dangerous dogs' had escaped from the property.

Three adult dogs and three puppies were located at the address, and subsequently two of the adult dogs and all of the puppies were seized due to suspicions they were banned breeds, namely XL Bullies, under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

A search warrant had been planned for another day, but police received information that the animals had reportedly escaped from the address and were posing a risk to members of the public.

It was determined that the warrant would be executed in the interest of public safety and to minimise risk.

Both Gemma Curtis and Levi Nathan-Curtis were interviewed, during which Gemma Curtis admitted to being the owner of the dogs.

The pair were issued with postal requisitions to appear in court and pleaded guilty to charges of possession/having custody of a fighting dog at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday, May 11.

They were ordered to pay £750 each towards kennelling costs for the XL Bullies and the woman was given a restraining order stating she is only allowed one dog to reside at her address for the next two years.

Following the sentencing, Police Constable Billy Taylor, of Portland NPT, said: “Banned dog breeds being kept within the community understandably caused concern for residents.

“We responded swiftly to this report and working alongside the dog unit, we were able to seize the XL Bullies and hold those involved to account.”

It is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, or abandon XL Bully dogs in the UK.

In order to own an XL Bully, a person must have a certificate of exemption.

Since December 2023, breeding these dogs became a criminal offense, and all owners of exempt dogs are required to neuter them to prevent further breeding.