XL Bully Advice

New ownership regulations are being implemented to enhance public safety following several incidents involving XL Bully-type dogs.

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

We have issued a joint statement with Dogs Trust, MADRA, and the Irish Blue Cross about the ban. Click here to read.

Owners who wish to keep their XL Bully-type dog must apply for a Certificate of Exemption by 1st February 2025. This certificate will permit them to retain their dog for the remainder of its natural life.

After 1st February 2025, owners with a Certificate of Exemption must continue to meet the necessary requirements to maintain the certificate.

Any owner found to be violating the regulations will be committing an offense under the Control of Dogs Act 1986.

The dog may be seized and humanely euthanized, and the owner will face penalties as specified in that Act:

A fine of up to €2,500, imprisonment for up to 3 months, or both.

The XL Bully is a variation of the broader American Bully breed. It is generally larger in both height and body structure and more muscular compared to other American Bully types, such as the ‘Micro,’ ‘Pocket,’ ‘Standard,’ and ‘Classic.’

Owners are encouraged to use the Physical Conformation Standard to assess whether their dog qualifies as an XL Bully type.

It is the owner’s responsibility to determine if their dog falls under the ban.

If owners believe their dog may be an XL Bully, they should ensure compliance with all new regulations.

This certificate will be specific to each XL Bully-type dog and its owner. It will include details such as the dog’s licence information, microchip number, neutering status, age, and physical description, as well as the owner’s name, address, date of birth, and contact number.

The Certificate of Exemption, issued by the Local Authority, permits the owner to keep their XL Bully-type dog at a designated property until the end of the dog’s natural life.

By February 1st, 2025, all XL Bully-type dog owners must either have a Certificate of Exemption or proof of their application for one.

Owners may be required to present their Certificate of Exemption to a Dog Warden within 10 days of a request.

Owners must submit their applications to their local authority starting from October 1st, 2024. Please make sure to check Gov.ie for links to the appropriate sections of all Local Authority websites after this date.

The completed application form can be sent via post or email to the relevant local authority.

Upon processing the application, the Local Authority will issue one of the following:

• A Certificate of Exemption,
• A Letter of Refusal,
• A request for additional information if any required details are missing.

There will be no fee charged for obtaining a Certificate of Exemption.

If an application for a Certificate of Exemption is denied for any reason, the owner will receive written notification from their local authority. Owners may reapply, ensuring they address the reasons for the initial refusal.

If subsequent applications are also denied and a Certificate of Exemption is not obtained before February 1st, 2025, owners may be required to surrender their dog to the Local Authority Dog Warden.

The seizure and detention of any dogs may involve both the Dog Warden and An Garda Síochána.

Owners must arrange for their XL Bully-type dog to be neutered by a registered veterinary practitioner in order to obtain a Certificate of Exemption. Neutering must be performed through castration for males or spaying for females.

Once the dog has been neutered, owners must complete a Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form.

This form must be signed by a veterinarian and sent to the Local Authority via post or email.

A Certificate of Exemption will not be issued until the Local Authority has received the Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form.

Owners can submit the Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form if their dog is deemed medically unfit for neutering by a veterinarian.

• If your dog has already been neutered, you must fill in this form straight away, have it counter-signed by your registered veterinary practitioner and return with the CoE application form.
• If your dog is 18 months of age or older and un-neutered, you must return this form by 30 June 2025.
• If your dog is younger than 18 months of age, you must return the form by 30 June 2025, or within one month of the dog turning 18 months of age, whichever is later. In any event you must return a completed Veterinary Confirmation of
  Neutering Status Form to your Local Authority before 1st July 2026.

A Certificate of Exemption will not be granted until the Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form has been received by your Local Authority.