Ban on XL Bully Dogs announced

A ban on XL Bully Dogs has been announced by Minister Heather Humphreys.

From October 1st of this year, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bullies while from February 1st of 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.

Following consultation with the chairperson of the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control, Retired Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey, Minister Humphreys has announced the ban in order to protect public safety.

The Minister is announcing the ban in the interest of public safety following a number of recent attacks by XL Bullies, which included the death of a young woman, Nicole Morey, in Limerick.

Commenting on her decision, Minister Humphreys stated “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 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 euthanised.

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