THE ban on XL Bully dogs is in full swing following calls for tighter pet control measures after a number of attacks.
Former Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys announced the ban in summer, with the first phase kicking in last October and the second phase coming into play on February 1.
The move came following a number of “horrific” attacks by XL Bullies last year, with Department claiming that the ban is in the interest of safety.
Minister Humphreys explained at the time: “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.”
She added: “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.
“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.”
This will be the first time a dog has been fully banned in Ireland —until now, the state has followed a restricted breed list with 11 dog breeds included.
The first phase of the ban began on October 1, 2024, making it illegal to import, breed or re-sell XL Bullies.
An XL bully dog is the largest of the American Bully Breed and is usually a mix of a number of breeds – including an American pit bull terrier.
Then on February 1, 2025, owning an XL Bully in Ireland will be illegal.
This applies to all XL bully dogs except in cases where owners have a “Certificate of Exemption”.
The new ban was created after consultation with a Stakeholder Group on Dog Control and Retired Garda Commissioner John Twomey.
ARE ANY DOG BREEDS BANNED IN IRELAND?
No breed of dog is currently banned in Ireland. But with certain breeds of dog, additional rules must be followed.
This applies to the following types of dog, as well as strains or cross-breeds of these breeds:
- American pit bull terrier
- English bull terrier
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- Bull mastiff
- Dobermann pinscher
- German shepherd (Alsatian)
- Rhodesian ridgeback
- Rottweiler
- Japanese akita
- Japanese tosa
- Bandog
In Ireland, restricted dogs or strains and crosses of them must be:
- Kept on a short strong lead of under two metres
- With someone over the age of 16, who is able to control them
- Muzzled when in a public place
- Wearing a collar with the name and address of their owner, at all times
But Minister Heather Humphreys confirmed more severe rules could be on the cards, saying: “I have asked the Group to examine the restricted breeds list, in line with actions being taken in the UK and Northern Ireland.
“I am committed to working with colleagues across Government in taking whatever action is necessary to strengthen our dog control laws.”
Minister Humphreys explained: “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.”
What will penalties be for owning an XL Bully?
After February 1, 2025, “any owner who is not compliant with the new regulations will have their dog seized and euthanized.”
Penalties for the XL bully ban will align with penalties outlined in the Control of Dogs Act.
Any person found guilty of an offence could face a fine of up to €2,500 and up to three months in prison.
In addition, any dog found stray or abandoned will be seized by the dog warden and may be put down after five days unless claimed.
How do dogs get Certificates of Exemption?
The only instance where an XL Bully will be allowed in Ireland is if the owner receives a Certificate of Exemption for the dog.
The Department of Rural and Community development said these will be issued under strict criteria.
This includes a requirement for licensing, microchipping and neutering the XL Bully.
The Department has also warned that additional criteria may be introduced upon discussion with the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control.
How will the ban be implemented?
An additional €2 million has been allocated in funding to enable local authorities to expand and improve their pound and warden facilities.
This is in addition to the extra €2 million that was announced for dog warden facilities in November 2023.
The Department said that this funding will “help local authorities manage the increased demands” due to the new regulations.
What is the new XL Bully ban?
HERE is everything you need to know about the new XL Bully ban in Ireland.
The XL Bully ban comes into force in two stages beginning on the October 1, 2024, with a full ownership ban from February 1 2025.
The period between these two dates will allow current XL Bully dog owners time to apply for a Certificate of Exemption from their local authority to permit them to keep their dog until the end of its natural life.
There will be no fee for the certificate of exemption.
Owners will be able to apply for a certificate of exemption from their local authority from 1st October subject to the dog being:
- Licensed
- Microchipped
- Neutered
Certificates of Exemption
The Certificate of Exemption will be unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner.
It will specify the dog’s licence details, microchip details, neutering details, age and description. It will also specify the dog owner’s name, address, date of birth and contact number.
A Certificate of Exemption is issued by the Local Authority and authorises the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises until the natural end of the dog’s life.
After February 1, 2025, all XL Bully type dog owners should either be in possession of a Certificate of Exemption or have proof that they applied for a Certificate of Exemption.
Owners must apply to their local authority after October 1, 2024.
No fee will be charged for a Certificate of Exemption.
Penalties for breaching the regulations
Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986.
The dog may be seized and euthanized in a humane manner and the owner will be subject to the penalties outlined in that Act:
A fine of up to €2,500, or imprisonment of a term of up to 3 months, or both.
Minister Humphreys said that the Department worked on a cross-government level with local authorities, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Gardai and the Revenue Commissioners.
She said: “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.”
Why has the ban been put into place?
In June, Nicole Lisa Marie Morey, 23, was killed by her dogs at her home in Fedamore, Co Limerick.
While announcing the ban, Minister Humphreys explained that although she is a dog owner herself, “no dog’s life is worth more than human life.”
She said: “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.
“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.”
What were the regulations for dogs before ban?
This will be the first time a dog has been fully banned in Ireland —until now, the state has followed a restricted breed list.
Dogs on the restricted breeds list require owners an additional set of rules.
These include being muzzled in public, using a lead shorter than two metres—which must be strong—wearing a collar with the owner’s information at all times, and only being led by those over 18.
This list includes 11 dog breeds.
