Nottingham Forest player Morgan Gibbs-White was granted permission to keep his banned XL Bully dog, Harlo, after explaining in court that he had forgotten to register the pet due to being ‘busy’. The England international, aged 25, assured the court through his lawyer that he would register Harlo by a new deadline of December 12 to comply with the law.
While Gibbs-White was away training with his England teammates, his solicitor informed the court that the footballer had unintentionally overlooked the registration requirement for his dog. The Forest star, valued at £60 million, missed the earlier deadline to register Harlo with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, prompting a civil case against him.
XL Bullies must be registered following a ban on the breed due to a series of dangerous incidents involving owners and children. Failure to register such a dog without an exemption certificate is considered a criminal offense.
Gibbs-White, who resides with his partner Britney De Villiers and their children, was directed to ensure Harlo’s registration by the specified deadline to avoid the dog being destroyed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The pet had already been microchipped, neutered, and adhered to other legal requirements.
Despite missing the initial registration period, Gibbs-White cooperated with authorities and demonstrated willingness to rectify the oversight. His lawyer affirmed that steps were being taken to meet the registration deadline and ensure compliance. The court was informed that the Forest player was actively addressing the issue and would fulfill the requirements in time.
Gibbs-White, who recently extended his contract with Forest, was ordered to cover legal costs for the proceedings. The judge acknowledged his absence from court and expressed curiosity about his identity as an England player.
The footballer’s lawyer emphasized that the oversight was unintentional, attributed to his busy schedule, and assured that the registration would be completed on time. The lawyer also assured that there would be no failure on Gibbs-White’s part to comply with the order.
XL Bullies are often owned by Premier League stars for security purposes, with a significant number being legally registered in the UK. The prominent footballer’s case highlighted the necessity of adhering to regulations regarding the ownership of such dogs to ensure public safety and compliance with the law.
