Ban on XL bully dogs to come into effect from October
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A ban on XL bully dogs is to come into effect from October, Rural Affairs Minister Heather Humphreys will confirm today.
The ban is to be implemented in two separate stages, with the first taking effect from October 1.
The first stage will consist of a ban on breeding, rehoming, reselling, and importing of an XL bully dog, while the second stage will be a full ban on owning the breed, the understands.
The second stage is due to take effect from February 1 next year, but XL bully owners will be permitted to keep their dog if they receive a certificate of exemption.
However, this certificate will only be provided to dog owners who can prove that their XL bully has a dog licence, is microchipped, and neutered.
One source said that Ms Humphreys wants to send a clear message that the XL bully is dangerous, causes serious harm, and a ban is now necessary to protect public safety.
In recent months, consultation has been ongoing with the attorney general around outlawing the breed, with no legislation required to implement the ban itself.
The plan will also bring Ireland in line with Northern Ireland, which introduced a similar ban earlier this year.
The ban is being brought forward by Ms Humphreys following a spate of dog attacks in recent months, including one which led to the death of Nicole Morey in Limerick. Ms Morey, from Bawnmore View, Limerick City, was killed by her dogs at her home in Fedamore in the county in early June.
A young boy, Alejandro Mizsan, was left with serious injuries following an attack by an XL bully in November 2022.
Speaking previously in the Seanad, Ms Humphreys said that while everyone loves their dogs, "no dog’s life is worth more than human life".
"While it is true that any dog can bite you, consider the damage an XL bully can do compared to a jack russell,” Ms Humphreys said.
“The history of these dogs is they were bred to be aggressive. It is in their nature.”
The rural affairs minister said that owners of XL bullys would not want to hear about a ban.
“They will tell me they own an XL bully and it would never hurt anyone, but I cannot ignore the facts. The XL bully was the dog involved in the attack on Alejandro Mizsan in Wexford and it was also the dog involved in the attack in Limerick which killed Nicole Morey,” she said.
A number of measures to deal with restricted dog breeds have been taken in recent months, including the doubling of on-the-spot fines to €300 for serious offences.
There are currently 11 restricted dog breeds in Ireland, which requires owners to keep them on a short lead and ensure they are muzzled while in public.
A taskforce to examine further strengthening Ireland’s dog control laws was established by Ms Humphreys earlier this year, with the body being chaired by former Garda Assistant Commissioner John Twomey.
The group itself is made up of a number of stakeholders, including government departments and representatives from the Irish Farmers Association, Dogs Trust, and the ISPCA.
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