Irish Examiner view: Animal welfare campaigners win a stay on today's XL Bully deadline

Taking someone’s dog away, let alone putting it down, requires a robust and transparent procedure

The High Court has put a stay on today's deadline for Ireland's XL Bully ban until February 27, when a full hearing will take place on broader aspects of the Control of Dogs 2024 regulations. 

The High Court case which intervenes in the law which allows XL Bullys to be put down or seized from animal charities or shelters, which was due to come into force today, rekindles a long-standing argument about whether the ownership of dogs is a right or a privilege.

Since the start of October, it has been illegal in Ireland to breed, sell, or import the XL. Animal welfare organisations had a stay to rehome or export them until February 1.