Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2024
288. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the fact that there are three photographs on Gov.ie of Bull Breeds which are not XL Bully types; the reason these photos have not been removed, as it will cause confusion for the dog wardens and it will lead to serious mistakes and the death of dogs. [41873/24]
View answerS.I. No. 491/2024 - Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 that banned XL Bully type dogs came into force in two stages beginning on the 1st October 2024, with a full ownership ban coming into force on the 1st February 2025.
The ban is being brought in over two stages to give XL Bully type dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully type dog the time to obtain a 'Certificate of Exemption'. There will be a four month period between the 1st October 2024 and before 1st February 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a 'Certificate of Exemption'.
The images of the dogs referred to by the Deputy are contained in the “Guidance: Applying the XL Bully type physical conformation standard” published on gov.ie/xlbully and were provided by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (I.S.P.C.A), and confirmed to be XL Bully type dogs in their care. The images published are indicative of what an XL Bully type dog looks like. A dog does not have to look exactly like the images provided to conform to the standard. I have requested my officials to source additional images to include in the physical conformation standard published on gov.ie/xlbully, to assist XL Bully owners to determine if their dog is an XL Bully type. Any further images that will supplement the Physical Conformation Standard will be published once available.
From the 1st February 2025, all owners of XL Bully type dogs must have a 'Certificate of Exemption', or proof of application for the 'Certificate of Exemption', for each dog.
All XL Bully type dog owners will be required to licence, microchip and neuter their dogs. Further information on the XL Bully type dog ban, including the criteria to qualify and the documentation to be included with their application for a 'Certificate of Exemption' is available on gov.ie/xlbully.
The regulations define an XL Bully type dog as “a dog which substantially meets the physical conformation standard specified in Schedule 1 and, in the case of an XL Bully which has not attained the age of 18 months, has the potential to do so on or after attaining that age.”
Owners should use the Physical Conformation Standard to determine if their dog is an XL Bully type dog. It is the owner’s responsibility to determine if their dog is covered by the ban. If owners think their dog could be an XL Bully type dog, they should comply with all new requirements. This includes puppies that have the potential to become an XL Bully type dog.
More information on the definition of an XL Bully type dog is in the Technical Frequently Asked Questions document available on gov.ie/xlbully.
