Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2024
865. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way the legislation being introduced on 1 October 2024 regarding XL Bully dogs deals with animals that are healthy, have no history of aggression, have been surrendered to a shelter and would otherwise be deemed suitable for re-homing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36407/24]
View answerI recently announced a ban on XL Bully dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following 2 stages.
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.
The regulation will detail a system of Certificates of Exemption for XL Bully dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully dogs. There will be a 4 month period between the 1st October 2024 and the 31st January 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a Certificate of Exemption in order to keep their XL Bully dogs.
The application process for a Certificate of Exemption will be managed by Local Authorities. Details of the conformation standard and further information on the criteria to qualify will be available on gov.ie shortly. However, as I previously announced in July, all XL Bully dog owners will be required to License, Microchip and Neuter their XL Bully dogs.
After 1st February 2025, any owner not compliant with the new regulations will have their dog seized and euthanised.
Similar measures have been recently announced in both the UK and Northern Ireland.
