'Save Bubba': Portsmouth dog will be destroyed in three weeks unless a new owner can be found and campaign starts to find him a new home

A campaign has been launched to save the life of a dog that a court has ordered to be destroyed.

Bubba, a four-year-old pitbull that has lived his whole life in Portsmouth, escaped from his home in Green Road, Southsea in August 2024, and mauled a small dog called Darcy, which died two days later from the injuries.

Bubba’s owner Richard Penfold, 52, was prosecuted, and was charged with one count of allowing a fighting dog to be in a public place without a muzzle or lead. He admitted the offence, and in November 2024 a court ordered that Bubba be put down. Penfold did not appeal the fine he was given but did appeal the destruction order, and this hearing took place at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday.

Judge Daniel Sawyer - who referred to Bubba as an XL Bully even though his owner and supporters say he is a pitbull - turned the appeal down, saying: "We are satisfied that a dog can be a danger to public safety, even if it does not attack humans. That's because if it attacks another dog, humans can be injured if they try to intervene. This is not a case about whether XL Bullies are dangerous; this is about whether Bubba is dangerous. Penfold failed to ensure Bubba was properly shut away.

"Between us, we have many years of experience as dog owners - the defence has not satisfied us that Bubba is not a danger to public safety, and so the destruction order must remain."

But a support group is desperately now trying to save Bubba, and has three weeks to do so. They say the destruction order can be averted if Bubba finds a new home and a “suitable keeper” applies to magistrates to take the dog on.

Campaigner Gill Henderson who is leading the drive said: “This is an urgent emergency appeal to try and find a suitable keeper for Bubba. His time is effectively up and this is a miracle that we are seeking to save his life.

“Bubba has already had the support of an amazing legal team and support from one of the groups too, however sadly despite all of their hard work, he was sentenced to death by the court. This was not because Bubba was found to pose a danger to the public, but was due to no suitable keeper being able to step up to take him through Exemption after he was sadly identified as a pitbull type dog.

“As one last attempt to find someone for Bubba, it was agreed that I would do this appeal. There must be someone out there who knows this beautiful boy.”

Ms Henderson said that if a keeper can be found, then a section 63 application under the Magistrates Court Act can be pursued to vary the destruction order in favour of a Contingent Destruction Order in the name of the new proposed keeper to save Bubba. But the clock is ticking as there is only 21 days from Friday.

She added: “So we need help with this. We desperately need... to find someone who fits the criteria. Only someone who has met Bubba can step forward for him but that could include vet staff, kennel volunteers/staff, previous owners, dog wardens, friends and family of the owner, neighbours etc.”

Bubba was known as Simba for the first 18 months of his life, and has always been in Portsmouth. Ms Henderson, who has worked on a similar case before which saw success, is appealing to vets, kennel owners or anyone else who has been in contact with Bubba to come forward for him.

“He is clearly being well cared for and loved, so maybe you can help save his life,” she said. “I'm aware this is a sad case and that everyone has tried so hard, but while he is still alive, the bullbreed community can't give up trying to save him. So please, everyone work together and try to find Bubba a lifeline. If you can help and only if you have met Bubba, please get in touch ASAP.”

Ms Henderson said that Bubba was registered when the XL Bully ban was introduced but was erroneously registered as an XL Bully. He was later assessed for both breed type and temperament and found not to be an XL Bully but instead a pitbull type and, said Ms Henderson, found to be of sound temperament.

Anyone who can help can contact Ms Henderson on Facebook.