Owners of XL Bully type dogs are urged to prepare for the first
stage of new legal safeguards which will come into force on 5
July 2024.
From this date, it will remain legal to own an XL Bully type dog,
but owners must ensure their dog is muzzled and on a lead when in
a public place. Selling, gifting, exchanging, or breeding from an
XL Bully type dog will also be prohibited.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher said: “I would urge XL
Bully type dog owners to read the guidance available. This will
assist owners in understanding the new requirements before they
come into effect on 5th July and enable them to take action in
advance such as muzzle training their dog, walking on a lead and
ensuring it has a valid dog licence.”
Stage two of the new rules will come into operation from 31
December 2024, and will make it an offence to own an XL Bully
type dog without an Exemption Certificate or having applied for
an Exemption Certificate.
This means where XL Bully type dog owners wish to keep their dog
they must apply and pay for an Exemption Certificate by that
date.
However, if any owner of an XL Bully type dog does not choose to
adhere to these measures or no longer wishes to keep their dog,
provision will be made to surrender that dog and owners will be
able to apply for compensation.
Full details of the application process and the conditions for
exemption will be announced soon. Although the application
process for Exemption Certificates is not open yet, there are
actions owners can take to prepare such as neutering their dog.
Owners of XL Bully type dogs are also advised to appropriately
record and account for their dog ahead of new rules coming into
force. In Northern Ireland, all dogs must be licensed and
microchipped at eight weeks old. It is an offence to own an
unlicensed dog, unless the dog is exempted.
Download
guidance and further details from the nidirect website(external
link opens in a new window / tab).
Notes to editors:
- The penalties for breach of the new safeguards are up to six
months imprisonment and/or a fine up to £5000.
- The definition to be used for an XL Bully type dog will be
the same as used by the UK Government. This can be found on the
gov.uk website(external link
opens in a new window / tab).
- Local councils have existing powers under the Dogs (Northern
Ireland) Order 1983 to serve notices for ‘out of control' dogs.
