Friday 27 September 2024

XL Bully ban - Ireland Update

 Minister Humphreys has signed regulations to introduce the XL Bully Ban in Ireland

September 2024 News from the Department of Rural and Community Development - Ireland, is as follows - there is additional news for rescues:

Following engagement with Animal Welfare charities and shelters, existing XL Bully dogs already in these facilities on 1st October will be permitted to be rehomed or exported subject to strict criteria until February 1st 2025.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has signed the Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 that will introduce the ban on XL Bully type dogs in Ireland.

The ban will come 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 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

Following engagement with Animal Welfare charities and shelters, existing XL Bully dogs already in these facilities on 1st October will be permitted to be rehomed or exported subject to strict criteria until February 1st 2025.

This means when in a public place, these dogs must be securely muzzled and kept on a strong chain or leash (maximum 2 metres in length) by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling the dog.

Further information regarding the XL Bully ban and how to apply for exemption can be found here - https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e5d55-xl-bully-ban-ireland












Tuesday 24 September 2024

New Rules – XL Bully type dogs – Ireland

For full details – visit https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e5d55-xl-bully-ban-ireland/

From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs.

From February 1st 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 will have between October 1st 2024 and (before) February 1st 2025 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.

As a cross of restricted breeds, XL Bully type dogs are subject to the existing additional controls.

This means when in a public place, these dogs must be securely muzzled and kept on a strong chain or leash (maximum 2 metres in length) by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling the dog.

Need for change in ownership rules

New ownership rules are being introduced to protect public safety following a number of attacks by XL Bully type dogs.

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

How to prepare for new ownership rules:

Owners that wish to keep their XL Bully type dog must apply for a Certificate of Exemption before 1st February 2025. The Certificate of Exemption will allow them to keep their dog until the end of its natural life.

After the February 1st 2025 owners of an XL Bully type dog that have a Certificate of Exemption must continue to meet the relevant criteria required to obtain the Certificate of Exemption.

Certificate of Exemption:

This certificate 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 1st 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 may be required to present their Certificate of Exemption to a Dog Warden within 10 Days of a request to do so.

Applying for a Certificate of Exemption:

Owners must apply to their local authority after October 1st 2024. This webpage will provide links to the relevant areas of all Local Authority websites after October 1st 2024.

The completed form should be sent by post or email to the relevant local authority.

The Local Authority will process the application and send either:

A Certificate of Exemption,

A Letter of Refusal,

Request for further information should the application be missing any relevant information.

No fee will be charged for a Certificate of Exemption.

Documentation needed for a Certificate of Exemption application:

The following documentation should be included with the application;

1. Copy of valid dog licence;

2. Copy of microchipping certificate for the dog;

3. Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form (see below);

4. Photographic proof of identity (copy of passport, drivers licence, public services card etc.); and

5. Proof of Address (copy of utility bill or bank statement within previous 3 months etc.).

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 and forwarded to the Local Authority by post or email.

A Certificate of Exemption will not be granted until the Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form has been received by the Local Authority.

Owners will be able to submit a Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form where their dog is determined by a vet to be medically unfit for neutering.

Dog 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.

Refusal of a Certificate of Exemption:

If an application for a Certificate of Exemption is refused for any reason, the owner will be notified in writing by their local authority. Such owners may re-apply, addressing the reasons for refusal.

If further applications are refused, and a certificate of exemption is not in place before February 1st 2025, owners may be required to surrender their dog to the Local Authority Dog Warden.

The seizure and detention of any dogs may involve both the Dog Warden and An Garda Síochána.

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.

More information on the definition of an XL Bully type dog is in the Technical Frequently Asked Questions document below. (See website for info.)

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.

XL Bully type dog owners living abroad

The regulation will provide for applications for Certificates of Exemption after February 1st 2025 in exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis.

This will specifically facilitate any owner who wishes to enter Ireland after a period abroad and is only for owners who can prove they owned the dog prior to October 1st 2024. 

Such evidence could include but is not limited to; dog licence, certificate of exemption or microchipping details from other jurisdictions, dog veterinary records, or a receipt of purchase.




Tuesday 27 August 2024

Tick Awareness

 #BeTickAware

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of animals, including people. The size of a tick can vary, with a larva being as small as a tiny freckle, and fully fed females similar in size to a baked bean.

Ticks survive in many habitats, but prefer moist areas with leaf litter or longer grass, like in woodland, grassland, moorland, heathland and some urban parks and gardens. Ticks don’t fly or jump. They wait on vegetation for a host to pass by, and then climb on. They bite and attach to the skin and feed on blood for several days, before dropping off. 

Ticks are found throughout the year, but are most active between spring and autumn.

Ticks can sometimes transmit microbes that may cause human diseases such as Lyme disease.

For full information visit:





Monday 26 August 2024

Pet Abduction law begins

The Pet Abduction Act 2024 has come into effect from August 24th;  under the new law, anyone found guilty of stealing a dog or cat in England or Northern Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. 

The new law recognises that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers. 







Tuesday 30 July 2024

Scotland - Deadline to apply online for Exemption Certificate:

XL Bully types - Scotland:

From 1st August 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully type without a certificate of exemption or having applied for one.

You can apply for a Certificate of Exemption online on GOV.UK until 31 July 2024.

The Scottish Government website advises the following:

Paper applications have now closed. If you've already applied and need to send us more documents, you can email them to xlbullydogenquiries@gov.scot. You can also still post them to:

XL Bully Dog Exemption Team
Room GW15
Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House
2 Regent Road
Edinburgh EH1 3DG

Processing times

We try to process applications within a few days, but it may sometimes take up to a few weeks. If you apply shortly before the closing date, you may not receive your Certificate of Exemption by 1 August 2024.

If this happens and the authorities ask to see your certificate, you can show them proof that you applied. This can be:

  • an email confirming you submitted the online form
  • proof that you posted a paper application
  • proof that you paid the application fee

If you need help with your application

Email xlbullydogenquiries@gov.scot with:

  • your full name
  • your postcode
  • the name of your dog









Thursday 18 July 2024

Ireland to introduce new dog law:

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD has announced a ban on XL Bully Dogs.

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’.

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.

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.

Between now and 1st October 2024 the necessary regulations will be put in place, with cross Government work on this already commenced.







Tuesday 25 June 2024

New Dog Law - Northern Ireland

New legal safeguards come into effect for XL Bully type dogs in Northern Ireland from 5 July 2024. If you own an XL Bully type dog you  take steps to prepare in advance of the restrictions coming into effect.

The new rules will be introduced in two stages. The first set of legal safeguards will come into operation on 5 July 2024 and will add XL Bully type dogs to the list of restricted breeds. From this date owners will not be allowed to breed, sell, exchange, gift or abandon an XL Bully type dog and they will need to keep their dog muzzled and on a lead when in public places. The dog must be kept in secure conditions that will stop it from escaping.

The second stage will come into effect on 31 December 2024. Beyond that date it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without an Exemption Certificate. Further details on how to apply for an Exemption Certificate will be published in the coming weeks.

Full details online here - XL Bully dogs | nidirect

From 1 January 2025 it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog in Northern Ireland without an Exemption Certificate.

In Northern Ireland, the definition used for an XL Bully type dog will be the same as the one that the UK Government set out for England and Wales, and which is also used in Scotland. It is known as a physical conformation standard.