XL Bully owners urged to obtain their Exemption Certificate immediately
Date published:
The window to apply for an XL Bully Exemption Certificate closes tomorrow night.
After midnight on 31 December 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without an Exemption Certificate. Owners of XL Bully dogs who have not applied for an Exemption Certificate risk their pet being seized, and they could face court action. The online application through your local council takes minutes.
For XL Bully dogs to be eligible for exemption they must be microchipped, licenced and have third-party insurance. Whilst XL Bully dogs must also be neutered as part of the exemption conditions, this can be completed after you have made your application. The application for exemption must be made by 31 December 2024, regardless of the age or neutering status of the dog.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “There are only two days left until the exemption scheme closes and a significant number of the licensed population of XL Bully dogs in Northern Ireland are still to be exempted.
“Owners should know that come January, their dog is at risk of being seized and they may face court action. No one wants to lose their dog, that is why we have made the application process as simple as possible. I am urging anyone with an XL Bully to obtain their application immediately before time runs out.”
Full details of the application process and the conditions for exemption can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/xlbullydogs. Please contact the Dog Control section at your local council if you would like guidance on completing your application or you have any queries.
Notes to editors:
- XL Bully type dogs have been added to the list of restricted breeds on 5 July 2024.
- The Exemption scheme opened on 9 August 2024 and will close on 31 December 2024.
- The penalties for breach of the new safeguards are up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine up to £5000.
- The definition to be used for an XL Bully type dog will be the same as used by the UK Government. This can be found at Conformation standard for XL Bully Type Dogs | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)
- Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110
- Further information can be found at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/xlbullydogs