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.
