Tuesday, 19 November 2024

New changes to exemption scheme

Coming into force on 5th December 2024 and applying to England and Wales.

These amendments have been passed via a Statutory Instrument; the Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order - No 1149 2024.

The details can be viewed in full here:


DEFRA Information - changes include:

Extension of the neutering deadline date in the 2023 Order for dogs aged under 7 months on 31 January 2024 from 31st December 2024 to 30 June 2025. 

This change is being made to reduce health and welfare risks associated with neutering large dogs before they have physically matured. As a result of the change the majority of XL Bully dogs exempted under this Order will be at least 18 months old when they are neutered. The 2023 Rehoming Order does not need to be amended as no dogs exempted under that legislation were less than 7 months old on 31 January 2024.

Amendment of the neutering requirements in the 2015 Order in relation to an XL Bully dog exempted through the court- approved exemption scheme to ensure that XL Bully dogs do not need to be neutered until they are 18 months old. 

Amendment of the requirements relating to Public Liability Insurance so that owners holding Certificates of Exemption are required to provide evidence of insurance on request rather than annually. Owners of all banned breed type dogs with a certificate of exemption are required to have public liability insurance in place for the lifetime of the dog.  Previously they were also required, as a condition of the exemption certificate, to send proof annually to Defra that their insurance had been renewed. In light of the large increase in the number of exempted dogs registered with Defra following the implementation of the XL Bully ban, we have reviewed the administrative burdens associated with the processing of annual insurance notifications. We have concluded that it would be more proportionate to replace this approach with spot-checks. The requirement for insurance will remain in place, but Defra will be able to request evidence of insurance from owners and owners will be in breach of their conditions of exemption if they do not provide this evidence within 5 days of the request being made. Non-compliance with this request will result in a dog’s Certificate of Exemption becoming invalid. 

This change is being made to reduce the administrative burden on owners and Defra. Amendment of the 2015 Order to allow substitution of the person in charge of an exempted XL Bully dog, in the event of death or serious illness of the exemption holder. This will align with provisions that already apply to other banned breed types. 

Previously in the event of serious illness or death of the owner of an XL Bully dog exempted under the 2023 Order, it was not possible for another person to lawfully take charge of the dog and keep it. The amendment means that in this situation the prospective new owner can apply to the court for the ownership to be transferred to them and the dog can remain with them until the case is heard, rather than being seized, if the Police deem that there is no risk to the public from the dog, and that the person is fit and proper. This change aligns the policy for XL Bully dogs with that which is already in place for other banned breed types. 





Friday, 1 November 2024

Classic FM’s Pet Classics - Fireworks Season

For the pets and families who find fireworks season stressful and upsetting, try Classic FM’s Pet Classics.

On Saturday 2nd and Tuesday 5th November from 5-9pm for soothing classical music.


Wednesday, 23 October 2024

Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill

A Bill to make provision changing the law about the offence of livestock worrying, including changes to what constitutes an offence and increased powers for investigation of suspected offences; and for connected purposes.

This is a Private Members' Bill which was presented to Parliament on Monday 21 October 2024, the Bill is sponsored by Aphra Brandreth MP (Conservative).

The next stage for this Bill is the Second reading, is scheduled to take place on Friday 29 November 2024.

There are no publications for this Bill yet. This can often happen in an early stage of a Bill, when it has not been fully drafted.




Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Renters' Rights Bill has second reading

The Renters (Reform) Bill was introduced to parliament in May 2023 and contained measures to amend the Housing Act 1988 to make it an implied term of an assured tenancy (with some exceptions) that a tenant may keep a pet with the landlord’s consent unless the landlord reasonably refuses. The bill did not complete its parliamentary stages before the end of the 2023-24 parliamentary session and did not become law.

In the King’s Speech 2024 the Labour government announced it will introduce a Renters’ Rights Bill in the 2024-25 parliamentary session. The bill is expected to give tenants the right to request to keep a pet, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords will be able to request insurance to cover potential damage from pets if needed.

This Bill was debated at the second reading on Wednesday 9 October 2024 and has now been sent to a Public Bill Committee which will scrutinise the Bill line by line and is expected to report to the House by Thursday 28 November 2024.

From the Government guide to the Bill:

Applies to England - Renting with pets

Pets can bring a huge amount of joy to their owners. We are committed to supporting responsible pet ownership in the private rented sector. The Renters’ Rights Bill will ensure landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home, with the tenant able to challenge unfair decisions.

We know that some landlords are concerned about potential damage caused by pets. That is why the Renters’ Rights Bill will allow landlords to require insurance covering pet damage. This will provide landlords with reassurance that any damage caused by a pet can be taken care of, and that the responsibility for preventing and resolving damage caused by a pet will fall to the tenant.

We will publish guidance for landlords and tenants before the new rules come into effect.



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: