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06/03/2024
New XL Bully Safety Measures To Be Introduced
New safety measures for XL Bully breed type dogs is to be introduced in Northern Ireland, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced.
In a statement to the Assembly, Minister Muir outlined his plans to introduce a scheme requiring owners of XL Bully breed type dogs to appropriately record and account for their dog with the relevant authorities, ensure they are neutered and muzzled on a lead at all times in public places. Breeding will also be prohibited alongside selling, giving away or abandoning.
Speaking of the announcement, Minister Muir said: "I know there are countless genuine Bully breed type enthusiasts who look after their dog with boundless love and dedication. Breeds of this size and nature require careful, experienced and dedicated training by owners who understand their characteristics and temperament.
"The level of risk associated with XL Bully breed type dogs is however well known, with a concerning number of attacks resulting in serious and fatal injuries. Unfortunately, the development of these dogs has sometimes suffered at the hands of the wrong types of owners with dogs bred to have exaggerated features or to be overtly aggressive."
Minister Muir continued: "I want to reassure the people of Northern Ireland that I have not rushed into a decision. I have carefully considered all aspects and I have not taken this decision lightly. It became clear quickly that there was no perfect solution to this problem.
"I do not want to expose the public to an exacerbated level of risk. There are 140 XL Bully breed type dogs licensed right now, up from around 90 last October. Therefore, it is time to act, whilst numbers remain manageable and we can – in the main – track where these dogs are."
The new scheme will require owners to:
• Appropriately record and account for their dog, with the relevant authorities.
• Keep their dog on a lead at all times in a public place and ensure that the dog is muzzled.
• Their XL Bully breed type dog must also be neutered and breeding from these dogs will be prohibited.
It will also no longer be permissible to:
• sell an XL Bully dog
• abandon an XL Bully dog or
• give away an XL Bully dog
However, if the owner of an XL Bully breed type dog does not wish to adhere to these measures and no longer wishes to keep their dog, provision will be made to surrender that dog and their dog will be euthanised.
The Minister stressed however that: "No owner will be forced to give their dog up or made to hand over their dog. I am giving the owners of XL Bully breed type dogs the ability to be responsible and compassionate owners. I am offering them a pathway to enduring and lasting ownership of their valued dog. I am announcing these measures now so that people thinking of obtaining or breeding an XL Bully breed type dog in the near future know that their responsibilities and obligations will shortly change."
Minister Muir added: "I appreciate that there will be a thirst for more information. My Department will develop guidance and practical support to allow owners to understand the impending legislative changes, including how to identify an XL Bully breed type dog using the standard developed by the UK Government. My Department will provide further detail on these safeguards in due course and the dates when they come into effect."
Concluding, Minister Muir stated: "Longer term, I have a desire to explore the possibility of meaningful reform to our dog control laws, in close co-operation with key stakeholders in the sector.
"I am acutely aware of the calls to deal with 'the deed not the breed' and criticism of Breed Specific Legislation but am left as Minister with the situation as it presents itself with the legislation as currently available in the context of public safety risk."
The Minister announced his intention for DAERA to establish a working group containing representatives from the Department and key council staff, to design and implement an exemption scheme.
In a statement to the Assembly, Minister Muir outlined his plans to introduce a scheme requiring owners of XL Bully breed type dogs to appropriately record and account for their dog with the relevant authorities, ensure they are neutered and muzzled on a lead at all times in public places. Breeding will also be prohibited alongside selling, giving away or abandoning.
Speaking of the announcement, Minister Muir said: "I know there are countless genuine Bully breed type enthusiasts who look after their dog with boundless love and dedication. Breeds of this size and nature require careful, experienced and dedicated training by owners who understand their characteristics and temperament.
"The level of risk associated with XL Bully breed type dogs is however well known, with a concerning number of attacks resulting in serious and fatal injuries. Unfortunately, the development of these dogs has sometimes suffered at the hands of the wrong types of owners with dogs bred to have exaggerated features or to be overtly aggressive."
Minister Muir continued: "I want to reassure the people of Northern Ireland that I have not rushed into a decision. I have carefully considered all aspects and I have not taken this decision lightly. It became clear quickly that there was no perfect solution to this problem.
"I do not want to expose the public to an exacerbated level of risk. There are 140 XL Bully breed type dogs licensed right now, up from around 90 last October. Therefore, it is time to act, whilst numbers remain manageable and we can – in the main – track where these dogs are."
The new scheme will require owners to:
• Appropriately record and account for their dog, with the relevant authorities.
• Keep their dog on a lead at all times in a public place and ensure that the dog is muzzled.
• Their XL Bully breed type dog must also be neutered and breeding from these dogs will be prohibited.
It will also no longer be permissible to:
• sell an XL Bully dog
• abandon an XL Bully dog or
• give away an XL Bully dog
However, if the owner of an XL Bully breed type dog does not wish to adhere to these measures and no longer wishes to keep their dog, provision will be made to surrender that dog and their dog will be euthanised.
The Minister stressed however that: "No owner will be forced to give their dog up or made to hand over their dog. I am giving the owners of XL Bully breed type dogs the ability to be responsible and compassionate owners. I am offering them a pathway to enduring and lasting ownership of their valued dog. I am announcing these measures now so that people thinking of obtaining or breeding an XL Bully breed type dog in the near future know that their responsibilities and obligations will shortly change."
Minister Muir added: "I appreciate that there will be a thirst for more information. My Department will develop guidance and practical support to allow owners to understand the impending legislative changes, including how to identify an XL Bully breed type dog using the standard developed by the UK Government. My Department will provide further detail on these safeguards in due course and the dates when they come into effect."
Concluding, Minister Muir stated: "Longer term, I have a desire to explore the possibility of meaningful reform to our dog control laws, in close co-operation with key stakeholders in the sector.
"I am acutely aware of the calls to deal with 'the deed not the breed' and criticism of Breed Specific Legislation but am left as Minister with the situation as it presents itself with the legislation as currently available in the context of public safety risk."
The Minister announced his intention for DAERA to establish a working group containing representatives from the Department and key council staff, to design and implement an exemption scheme.
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17 June 2024
New XL Bully Dog Safeguards To Be Introduced In NI
The Department for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that new legal safeguards on the ownership of XL Bully type dogs will come into force on 05 July, 2024.
New XL Bully Dog Safeguards To Be Introduced In NI
The Department for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that new legal safeguards on the ownership of XL Bully type dogs will come into force on 05 July, 2024.
23 July 2024
DAERA Announces Next Steps For XL Bully Owners
The owners of XL Bully type dogs have been reminded that the exemption scheme will open on 09 August, 2024. From that date, all XL Bully owners who wish to keep their dog will have to apply and pay for an Exemption Certificate by 31 December 2024.
DAERA Announces Next Steps For XL Bully Owners
The owners of XL Bully type dogs have been reminded that the exemption scheme will open on 09 August, 2024. From that date, all XL Bully owners who wish to keep their dog will have to apply and pay for an Exemption Certificate by 31 December 2024.
05 July 2024
XL Bully Dog Legal Safeguards Come Into Force
New legal safeguards on the ownership of XL Bully dogs come into force across Northern Ireland today, Friday 05 July. Whilst it remains legal to own an XL Bully type dog, from today, owners must ensure their dog is muzzled and on a lead when in a public place. Selling, gifting, exchanging or breeding from an XL Bully type dog is also prohibited.
XL Bully Dog Legal Safeguards Come Into Force
New legal safeguards on the ownership of XL Bully dogs come into force across Northern Ireland today, Friday 05 July. Whilst it remains legal to own an XL Bully type dog, from today, owners must ensure their dog is muzzled and on a lead when in a public place. Selling, gifting, exchanging or breeding from an XL Bully type dog is also prohibited.
24 January 2012
Arrests Made Over Cannabis Find
A man and woman have been arrested after police seized cannabis plants and resin in a house in Rostrevor, Co Down. Seventy cannabis plants and 35kgs of cannabis resin were found during the police search on Monday. Four dogs, believed to have been used for badger baiting, were also taken at from the property. The pair are currently being questioned.
Arrests Made Over Cannabis Find
A man and woman have been arrested after police seized cannabis plants and resin in a house in Rostrevor, Co Down. Seventy cannabis plants and 35kgs of cannabis resin were found during the police search on Monday. Four dogs, believed to have been used for badger baiting, were also taken at from the property. The pair are currently being questioned.
03 September 2008
NI Leads Dog Euthanasia League
A canine welfare charity is urging people across the Province to re-home a rescue dog (like Xander, pictured) before purchasing a 'retail rover'. Dogs Trust's annual Stray Dogs Report published today has revealed 4,041 dogs were destroyed in Northern Ireland last year; making NI one of worst areas for animal welfare in the UK.
NI Leads Dog Euthanasia League
A canine welfare charity is urging people across the Province to re-home a rescue dog (like Xander, pictured) before purchasing a 'retail rover'. Dogs Trust's annual Stray Dogs Report published today has revealed 4,041 dogs were destroyed in Northern Ireland last year; making NI one of worst areas for animal welfare in the UK.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
