Keeping an XL Bully type dog:
Government guidance on checking if your dog is a XL Bully type
All Xl Bully type dogs (all ages including puppies) have to be muzzled and leashed, with the lead held by someone over the age of 16yrs, in all public places, which includes inside a vehicle in a public place, this is a legal requirement which began on (and included) the 31st December 2023, it applies regardless to whether the dog has been exempted during the transition period which ends at midday on 31st January 2024. Help with muzzle training here.
If you are not sure whether your dog meets the criteria set
out by the Government, it is recommended that you apply for exemption and
follow the rules as a precautionary measure, to keep your dog safe.
Application closing dates are as follows, rescue and
rehoming organisations have their own separate process and deadline date-details
are on the Gov website.
If you apply for a Certificate of Exemption online you must
complete and submit your application to DEFRA Dogs Index by midday on 31
January 2024.
If you apply by email or post, you must make sure Defra
receives your application by 15 January 2024.
To get a Certificate of Exemption you will need:
* To pay the £92.40 fee for each dog, you need the payment
reference number to proceed. The fee is not refundable.
* Third party public liability insurance cover for your dog is
needed, this can be obtained via the Dogs Trust membership/companion club - £25
per year, in the name of the dog’s owner, it covers up to four dogs and is
renewed each year to keep the exemption certificate valid. You will be given a
policy number and start date (when your payment clears) from the Dogs Trust. Details to join are here.
* You must make sure your dog is fitted with a microchip and
registered on a database - if you’re not sure if your dog is
microchipped, you should ask your vet to scan your dog for you, you need your microchip number, details
should be up to date on the microchip company database – ask your vet to scan
your dog if you do not know your microchip number, contact the microchip
company if you need to update the details held.
Dogs less than 8 weeks old - 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 Defra will send you a new
Certificate of Exemption when you provide the microchip number.
Your dog does NOT
have to be neutered to apply for an exemption certificate during the
transition period – there are two deadline dates to neuter your dog by in order
for your certificate of exemption to remain valid, these are:
* dog less than 1 year old on 31 January 2024 - it must be neutered
by 31 December 2024
* dog older than 1 year old on 31 January 2024 - it must be
neutered by 30 June 2024
A vet must confirm if your dog is already neutered:
Once your XL Bully dog has been neutered, you and your vet will need to fill in the confirmation of neutering form. Your vet should then return the form to Defra.
If your dog has already been neutered, you and your vet must
fill in the confirmation of neutering form. The vet should return the form to
Defra.
If the vet is unable to return the form, the owner of the
dog can return it to Defra Dogs Index.
Apply for a certificate of exemption online here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-of-exemption-to-keep-an-xl-bully-dog
