Taoiseach promises ban on XL bully and other dangerous dog breeds

The Seanad heard that currently no dogs are banned in Ireland, instead we have a list of 11 ‘restricted’ dogs, including the XL bully dog.

The Taoiseach has promised to move to ban XL bully dogs and other dangerous breeds following the recent death of Nicole Morey.

The Government is now consulting with the attorney general on outlawing the breed.

Ms Morey from Bawnmore View, Limerick City, was killed by her dogs at her home in Fedamore, Co Limerick, last Tuesday night.

Her case was raised in the Dáil by Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea who called for the urgent introduction of a blanket ban on all 11 types of dogs on the restrictive list.

Responding, Mr Harris said a task force has now been asked to prioritise the issue of introducing a ban on certain breeds.

“I believe the committee is due to meet on 26 June and we have asked that it would report on this specific issue as quickly as possible because we do have to act on this issue,” he said.

Social Protection Heather Humphreys told the Seanad that currently no dogs are banned in Ireland, instead a restricted dogs list applies, which also includes any crosses of these breeds, which are subject to “strict” controls.

This means when in public, these dogs must be muzzled and they must be kept on a short, strong leash.

She said that more needs to be done specifically about the XL Bully.

“I am consulting with the Attorney General on how a ban on the XL Bully would work in Ireland and what legislative changes may be required to give effect to this – that work is underway,” she said.

Ms Humphreys said that some people “would not like” hearing what she had to say, but said that the potential damage done by an XL Bully was potentially too great.

“They will tell me that they own an XL Bully and it would never hurt anybody.

“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 last week which killed Nicole Morey.

“I can’t ignore the facts.”