XL Bully Dogs Banned from 1st January 2024

New secondary legislation has be laid before Parliament that will outlaw XL Bully dogs from 1st January 2024.

The XL Bully has attracted considerable negative publicity in recent months as a result of a series of nasty dog attacks and fatalities. The Bully Watch Twitter account has been keeping a close eye on the situation.

The Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types)(England and Wales) Order 2023, pursuant section 1(1)(c) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, designates "the type of dog known as the XL Bully" as a type bred for fighting and therefore subject to the provisions of the Act.

Anyone who currently owns or keeps an XL Bully will be required to obtain a Certificate of Exemption, for the princely sum of £92.40, should they wish to legally continue doing so. They have until 31st January 2024 to apply for the exemption.

They will be legally required to ensure that the dog:

• Is microchipped;
• Is kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in a public place;
• When not in a public place, is kept in a secure area from which it cannot escape;
• Is neutered (a dog aged less than one year old on 31st January 2024 must be neutered by 31st December 2024; a dog aged older than one year old on 31st January 2024 must be neutered by 30th June 2024);
• Is not allowed to breed or be bred from;
• Is not sold, exchanged or transferred to another person or advertised as such;
• Is not abandoned or allowed to stray.

The owner of such a dog must also:

• Be aged at least 16 years old;
• Be covered by a valid policy of insurance in respect to their dog injuring any other person;
• Be able to present a valid Certificate of Exemption when requested to by a police officer or local authority dog warden, either at the time of request or within 5 days thereafter.