From 1 October 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs.
From 1 February 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ issued by the local authority in which the dog resides.
XL Bully owners have between 1 October 2024 and 31January 2025 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
XL Bully owners in the South Dublin County Council area can download the required forms below.
Definition of an XL Bully type dog
The XL Bully type dog is a variant of the wider American Bully breed type. The XL Bully type dog is typically larger (both in terms of height and body shape) and more muscular than other American Bully breed types such as the ‘Micro’, ‘Pocket’, ‘Standard’ and ‘Classic’.
Owners should use the Physical Conformation Standard to determine if their dog is an XL Bully type.
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.
Certificate of Exemption
The following documentation must be included in order for a Certificate of Exemption to be issued:
- A completed Certificate of Exemption Application Form – available here
- Copy of valid dog licence
- Copy of microchipping certificate for the dog
- Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form – available here
- Photographic proof of identity of the dog owner (copy of passport, drivers licence, public services card etc.)
- Proof of Address of the dog owner (copy of utility bill or bank statement within previous 3 months etc.)
No fee is charged for a Certificate of Exemption.
We will process the application and either send you:
- A Certificate of Exemption,
- A Letter of Refusal, or
- A request for further information should the application be missing any relevant information.
If an application for a Certificate of Exemption is refused for any reason, you will be notified in writing. You may re-apply, addressing the reasons for refusal.
If further applications are refused, and a certificate of exemption is not in place before the 1st February 2025, you will be required to surrender your dog to the Dog Warden.
The seizure and detention of any dogs may involve both the Dog Warden and An Garda Síochána.
Microchipping
It is a legal requirement in Ireland to have all dogs implanted with a microchip and registered on an approved database by the time they are 12 weeks old.
For more information on micro-chipping and registration of your dog, please consult this gov.ie page on a dog owner's legal responsibilities.
If you're unsure if your dog is microchipped, ask your vet to scan your dog for a Microchip.
Neutering
Owners must arrange to have their XL Bully type dog neutered by a registered Veterinary Practitioner in order to receive a Certificate of Exemption. Neutering of the XL Bully type dog must be carried out through castration if it’s male or spaying if it’s female.
Once the dog has been neutered, owners must complete a Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form. This form must be countersigned by a vet.
A Certificate of Exemption will not be granted until the Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form has been received by the Local Authority.
Owners can submit a Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form where their dog is determined by a vet to be medically unfit for neutering.
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.
FAQ's
FAQs have been developed by the Department of Rural and Community Development can be read here
Please find attached link to gov.ie for further information on the legislation: new-ownership-rules-in-relation-to-xl-bully-type-dogs
