XL Bully Ban Will Be Enforced October 1st

Friday, 12 July 2024 12:14

This enforcement will bring Ireland in line with the North and the UK.

A ban on breeding, rehoming, reselling and importing XL Bully dogs will come into force from October 1st.

It follows recent serious incidents involving dog attacks, with a source saying Minister Heather Humphreys wants to send a clear message that the XL Bully is dangerous.

The measures will bring Ireland in line with the North and the UK.

Jayne Emery, Muddy Paws Canine Spa Athlone, believes XL bully's aren't as dangerous as they're being made out to be:

Minister Humphreys says "these new regulations will ensure that, from October, nobody in the State can take ownership of these dangerous dogs and that it will be illegal to breed, sell, import, rehome, exchange, gift or abandon XL Bully dogs. I will be bringing in a system of certification for existing owners of XL Bully dogs. Over the period 1st October 2024 to 1st February 2025 all existing XL Bully owners will have to apply for a Certificate of Exemption."

Certificates of Exemption will be issued subject to strict criteria, including a requirement for licensing, microchipping and neutering. Other possible criteria will be discussed with the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control put in place to advise on these issues.

After 1st February 2025, any owner not compliant with the new regulations will have their dog seized and euthanized.

Similar measures have been recently announced in both the UK and Northern Ireland.

Minister Humphreys also says "My officials are working across Government, including with local authorities, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, An Garda Síochána, and Revenue Commissioners, to ensure effective enforcement of these regulations. The timelines I have set out will ensure that existing owners have time to obtain Certificates of Exemption, and that the systems are in place to enforce the regulations once enacted. I know a lot of people will not agree with this decision. I'm a dog owner myself and I know people love their dogs. We must be mindful however that no dog's life is worth more than human life. Ultimately that is what guided me in making this decision. The XL Bully was responsible for the horrific attack on Alejandro Mizsan in Wexford last year and it was also the breed which killed a young woman in Limerick recently. If we do not take action now the number of these dogs in the country will grow and my fear is that these attacks will become more frequent. It is my strong view that Ireland should not be out of step with neighbouring jurisdictions in Northern Ireland and the UK on this matter."
Additional funding for local authorities

The Minister has also allocated an additional €2 million in capital funding to local authorities to expand and improve their pounds and warden facilities. This funding is in addition to €2 million announced for dog warden facilities in November last year (2023). This funding will help local authorities manage any increased demands due to these regulations, and help support their wider dog control remit.