New ownership rules in relation to XL Bully type dogs
New ownership rules in relation to XL Bully type dogs
From October 1st 2024, new regulations ban the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ issued by the local authority in which the dog resides. A Certificate of Exemption is issued by the Local Authority and authorises the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises until the natural end of the dog’s life.
XL Bully owners will have between October 1st 2024 and 31st January 2025 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption in accordance with the Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 491 of 2024).
All owners intending to keep their XL Bully type dog after 31st January 2025 must apply to their local authority for Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully type dog by this date.
Application must be made for all XL Bully type dogs, regardless of the age or neutering status of the dog.
After February 1st 2025 all XL Bully type dog owners should either be in possession of a Certificate of Exemption or have proof that they applied for a Certificate of Exemption.
Once a Certificate of Exemption has been granted to a dog owner the local authority must be notified of dog owner change of address, change of ownership of the exempted dog due to the death of the owner, or the death/export of the exempted dog.
Please submit all completed forms to Dog Section, Parks Dept, Room 112, Cork City Council, City Hall, Cork, or email to doglicence@corkcity.ie .
You will find all relevant forms, as well as a guide to completing them, at the bottom of this page.
All queries can be addressed to doglicence@corkcity.ie or by phone, 021 4924000.
Please note as a cross of restricted breeds, XL Bully type dogs are subject to additional restrictions as designated under “Restricted Breeds”, Control of Dogs Regulation 1998.
These dogs are subject by law to the following restrictions when in a public place:
- must be securely muzzled
- must be led on a sufficiently strong chain or leash not greater than 2 metres in length by a person over 16 years of age, who is capable of controlling the dog
- must have a collar bearing the name and address of the owner (applies to all dogs)
