XL Bully Neutering Forms Update

Updated information for owners of exempted XL Bully dogs in England and Wales:

If you own an XL Bully dog, you must provide Defra with evidence that your dog has been neutered for your Certificate of Exemption to remain valid. 

If you do not provide evidence that your dog has been neutered by the relevant deadline, your dog will no longer be exempt. 

Your XL Bully dog must be permanently neutered. Male dogs must be neutered through castration, and female dogs must be spayed.  

An RCVS-registered veterinary surgeon must perform the neutering procedure.

You must provide Defra with evidence that your XL Bully dog has been neutered on or before the relevant deadline. 

The deadline depends on the dog’s age on 31 January 2024.

If already neutered - A vet must confirm that your XL Bully is already neutered and fill in the VCN01 form with the owner.  

The owner must return the form to Defra on or before the relevant deadline. 

The owner must email a scanned copy or photo of the completed VCN01 form to XLBneuteringcerts@defra.gov.uk, or post it to:

Dogs Index (neutering forms)
PO Box 68250
London
SW1P 9XG

If you send the form by email, include the dog’s Certificate of Exemption number in the subject line. Include all scans or photos of the form in a single email.

If sending by post, we recommend you use a signed-for or special delivery service.

Guidance and Information - Confirm an XL Bully dog has been neutered - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill

 

A Private Members' Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP

A Bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to require a person in charge of a dog to take all reasonable steps to ensure that that dog does not fatally injure another dog; and for connected purposes.

This Bill started in the House of Commons and has it’s Second reading scheduled for 17^th May 2024.

There is no publication of the Bill yet.

Bill's Second Reading - DDA Amendment

 Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Amendment) Bill:

Sponsored by Sir Christopher Chope MP

A Bill to provide that, before making any order to designate a type of dog for the purposes of section 1 or 2 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the Secretary of State must carry out a public consultation and publish a comparative review of data showing the incidences of fatalities resulting from bites of dogs of that type in the last three years.

The next stage for this Bill, Second reading, is scheduled to take place on Friday 22 March 2024.

This is a Private Members' Bill and was presented to Parliament on Monday 11 December 2023.

XL Bully Dogs - Neutering Deadlines Updated by DEFRA

14th March 2024 Information from DEFRA:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/neutering-deadlines-xl-bully-dogs

Extension to the neutering deadline for XL Bully dogs that were under seven months on the 31st January 2024

The deadline for neutering the youngest XL Bully dogs is to be extended following engagement with the veterinary industry.

The new deadline to neuter XL Bully dogs that were under seven months on the 31st January 2024 will be 30th June 2025. We will make this change through legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

This is to make sure we safely manage the existing XL Bully dog population, balancing the welfare of these animals with keeping people safe.

Neutering for older dogs remains the same. For dogs that were over 1 year on the 31st January 2024, this has to be done by the 30th June 2024, while dogs aged 7 – 12 months on the 31st January 2024 must be neutered by the end of 2024.

With just over three months before the first deadline of 30th June 2024, owners of older dogs are reminded to book an appointment with the vet in good time.

If evidence is not provided that the dog has been neutered by the relevant deadline, owners will be breaching the legal requirements to keep an XL Bully dog and it may be seized by the police.

It remains an offence to breed or rehome an XL Bully dog regardless of its age.

Scotland - Breed Specific Legislation Update

 XL Bully - New Law Coming Into Force:

New rules will come into force on 23 February 2024 - subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.

It will be an offence in Scotland to:

- have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle

- breed or breed from an XL Bully dog

- sell an XL Bully dog

- abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray

- give away an XL Bully dog

It will be illegal to rehome, sell, buy, or transfer ownership of an XL Bully dog to another person. Rehoming organisations can not rehome XL Bully dogs.

The definition used for an XL Bully dog is the same as the UK Government. 

If you are not sure if a dog in your care is an XL Bully, use the DEFRA GOV guide to check if a dog is an XL Bully.  If you are still unsure about your dog after doing this, it is recommended that you should follow the rules in the guide as a precaution.

Exemption certificates from 31 July 2024:

From 31 July 2024 you must have an exemption certificate - or have applied for one - to own an XL Bully dog. 

Full details about the exemption certificate scheme including the start date, costs and how to apply will be announced soon - the Scottish Government has not yet announced how owners will be able to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.

Pet Abduction Bill - Latest Progress

 A Private Members’ Bill introduced by Anna Firth MP, to create offences of dog abduction and cat abduction and to confer a power to make corresponding provision relating to the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets.

In January 2024 the Bill had taken a significant step forward with the announcement of government backing for new legislation.

The Pet Abduction Bill introduces new criminal offences in relation to the taking or detaining of a dog from the lawful control of any person. Anyone found guilty of stealing a pet will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

There is currently no legislation aimed at addressing pet theft specifically. Animals fall under the definition of property in legislation, and as such pet theft is dealt with under the Theft Act 1968.  Campaigners have called for stronger legislation that reflects the emotional value of pets to their owners and the distress associated with their theft.

Introduced into the House of Commons on 6^th December 2023.

1^st reading – was on 6^th December 2023

2^nd reading –  was on 19^th January 2024

Committee Stage – 31^st January 2024

The Bill is now due to have its report stage and third reading on Friday 23 February.

Amendments can be made to the Bill at Report Stage.

Amendments to be considered are selected by the Speaker.

Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests that around 2,000 dog theft and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is a major concern to the public.

 

Deadline to Apply to Exempt - Xl Bully Type Dogs Reminder

It is advised not to wait for any ongoing legal challenges - the application for a Judicial Review and we advise not to wait until last minute in case of any issues with your online application.

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a Certificate of Exemption.

NOON on 31st January 2024 is the deadline to submit the completed application online, to apply for a exemption certificate for an XL Bully type dog.

Apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You need your dog's microchip number-if you don't have that ask your vet to scan the dog for you.

If your dog is less than 8 weeks old when you apply for a Certificate of Exemption, you’ll have until 31 March 2024 to give the microchip number to Defra. Email the microchip number to dogsindex@defra.gov.uk or post it to the Dogs Index.

You need the 3rd party liability insurance cover in the same name as the person who will be applying for the exemption certificate. This is obtained by becoming a member of the Dogs Trust Companion Club, apply online on the Dogs Trust website. £25 per person per year, covers up to four dogs. Dogs Trust will email you confirmation and policy number and start date (date your payment clears).

You dog doesn't have to be neutered now to apply for the exemption certificate.

There is a one-off application fee of £92.40 per dog, this has to be paid first online-you will then be given a payment reference number which you use for your application:

Make a payment - Pay the application fee for a Certificate of Exemption for your XL Bully dog (payments.service.gov.uk)

DEFRA Photo: