Almost 50 XL bully dogs surrendered as breed ban enforcement ramps up

The ban on ownership of an XL bully without a certificate of exemption came in on February 1 this year. File picture

Almost 50 XL bully dogs have been surrendered since the introduction of the ban on the breed.

In October 2024, it became illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL bully dog.

On February 1 of this year, it became illegal to own an XL bully dog unless owners had a certificate of exemption.

A certificate of exemption cannot be granted for an XL Bully that has not yet been neutered or deemed medically unfit for neutering

Limerick and Cork City councils are among those who have seen dogs surrendered to them since the ban was introduced.

Rural and community development minister Dara Calleary told Fine Gael TD Maeve O'Connell that in total, 48 XL Bully dogs had been surrendered.

The highest numbers were seen in:

• Dublin City (11)
• Limerick (10)
• Cork City (4)

Fifteen councils have yet to have seen a dog surrendered.

Mr Calleary said: "Members of the public must comply with the regulations. Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. 

"Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the individual local authorities, who are empowered to seize XL bully -type dogs where necessary under the relevant statutory provisions."

The new regulations were introduced to protect public safety following a number of attacks by XL bully type dogs, a restricted breed, including the mauling to death of Nicole Morey, 23, in Limerick last June.

Days later, members of the Garda Armed Support Unit had to shoot a pit bull terrier dog, a smaller version of the breed, after a woman was injured at a house in the Ballyphehane area of Cork City.

In total, more than 1,800 applications for certificates of exemption were received, and to date almost 1,000 have been granted.

Any owner found to be in breach of the laws could see their dog seized and euthanised in a humane manner. The owner could face a fine of up to €2,500, a jail term of up to three months, or both.