Carlow TD 'wholeheartedly welcomes' governments ban on XL Bully dogs

Carlow's Fianna Fail TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor has welcomed regulations being signed to ban XL Bully dogs in Ireland.

From October 1 it will be illegal to import, breed or re-sell XL Bully dogs. There will be ban on ownership from February 1, 2025 with owners required to obtain a Certificate of Exemption to keep existing dogs.

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Deputy Murnane O’Connor said: “I wholeheartedly welcome the Government signing new rules, the ‘Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024’ that will introduce a ban on XL Bully type dogs in Ireland being signed by Government.

“XL Bully dogs are a huge public safety concern. There have been a number of horrific attacks on people by XL Bully dogs. One of these attacks led to the death of a young woman in Limerick. These dogs need to be regulated, otherwise I worry these types of attacks will continue to occur. That is why I am pleased that the Government is taking action.”

Owners of existing XL Bully dogs will be able to apply for a certificate of exemption from their local authority from 1st October subject to the dog being: licensed, microchipped and neutered. There will be no fee for the certificate of exemption.