From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling, and re-homing of XL Bullies. From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a ban on XL Bully Dogs. The new regulations, effective from October 1st 2024, will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling, and re-homing of these dogs. From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.
The ban comes in the wake of several recent attacks, including the tragic death of Nicole Morey in Limerick, and follows consultations with the chairperson of the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control, Retired Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey.
Minister Humphreys explained:
“I am bringing in regulations to ban the breeding, sale, rehoming and import of XL Bully dogs from 1st October 2024.
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.
Secondly, 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 subject to strict criteria, including licensing, microchipping, and neutering, with further conditions to be discussed with the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control.
Non-compliant owners will face severe consequences. From February 1st 2025, any XL Bully dog without a Certificate of Exemption will be seized and euthanized. Similar measures have been announced in the UK and Northern Ireland.
Minister Humphreys added:
“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.”
Addressing the necessity of the ban, Minister Humphreys continued:
“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.”
Additionally, the Minister has allocated an extra €2 million in capital funding to local authorities to expand and improve pounds and warden facilities. This is in addition to €2 million announced in November last year.
The new regulations will be developed between now and October 1st 2024. Penalties for offences will align with those in the Control of Dogs Act, with fines up to €2,500 or imprisonment for up to 3 months, or both. The Stakeholder Group on Dog Control will continue to advise on future actions.