27/11/2023
XL Bully type owners. Advice so far.
Watch this space, we hope to have more help in the very near future.
ACT NOW to register your dog to get an exemption and keep it.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-of-exemption-to-keep-an-xl-bully-dog
From 31 December 2023 it will be against the law to:
sell an XL Bully dog
abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
give away an XL Bully dog
breed from an XL Bully dog
have an XL Bully dog in public without a lead and muzzle
From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.
As part of the process to exempt your dog, you will need third-party liability insurance, insurance against your dog injuring other people - this is provided through Dogs Trust Membership. Your dog must be microchipped (which is already a legal requirement).
Your dog will also need to be neutered. If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 30 June 2024. We recommend that you arrange for your dog to be neutered as soon as possible to ensure that you meet these deadlines.
Once your dog has been exempted you must adhere to the conditions otherwise you could be committing a criminal offence and your dog could be seized. You must be able to show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days.
To legally keep your dog you must apply for a certificate of exemption by the 31st of January 2024. The Government’s website explains how to apply for this certificate.
What is the exemption process?
The Government released details about the exemption process on 14 November 2023 and we strongly advise you read through it in detail. We have summarised the key information here. People need to check if their dog is an XL bully themselves, so they won’t need to be removed from their homes.
To apply for a certificate of exemption, your dog must microchipped (a legal requirement for all dogs), have third party liability insurance and be neutered. If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024. We recommend that you arrange for your dog to be neutered as soon as possible to ensure that you meet these deadlines.
Owners must pay an application fee of £92.40 and apply for a certificate of exemption.
Any exempted dogs will have to wear a muzzle and kept on a lead at all times in public after 31 December, and kept in a secure place from which they cannot escape. We recommend owners should start training their dogs now, positively, to get used to muzzles and there are training videos online to help you do that.
Will dogs need to be taken away to be assessed as part of the exemption process?
No, your dog will not be taken away. You need to check if your dog may be an XL Bully dog in order to apply for an exemption. The Government’s website explains how to do this and you can read the official definition of a XL Bully dog.
Height is a necessary requirement so you should assess your dog’s height first, measuring from the ground to the withers (the top of the shoulders) and not higher. The minimum height for an adult male is from 20in (51 cm) at the withers and for an adult female from 19in (48cm) at the withers. If the minimum height is not met then your dog is not considered an XL Bully and no further assessment is needed. If your dog meets the height requirement, you will need to work through the rest of the definition.
How do I know if I have an XL Bully dog?
Owners are being asked to identify whether their dogs are XL Bully dogs. The UK Government has published their official definition of an XL Bully dog. The height of your dog is a necessary requirement and so you should measure your dog’s height first, from the ground to the withers (top of the shoulders) and not higher. The minimum height for an adult male is from 20in (51 cm) at the withers i.e. top of the shoulders and for an adult female from 19in (48cm) at the withers. If the minimum height is not met then your dog is not considered an XL Bully and no further assessment is needed.
Can I report an XL Bully dog to you?
We only take reports about cruelty and neglect, regardless of breed. We do not deal with complaints about dogs acting dangerously - please address any concerns about aggressive dogs to the police. As the current law stands, it is an offence to allow a dog of any breed or type to be dangerously out of control in a public or private place.
Do you have any information about how to stay safe around dogs?
Please read our advice on meeting unfamiliar dogs and how to keep children safe around dogs.
What is likely to be an offence when the ban is introduced?
From 31 December 2023, it will be illegal to sell, breed or give away an XL Bully dog.
From 1 February 2024, it will be against the law to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate. Owners of exempted dogs must adhere to the conditions at all times otherwise they may be committing a criminal offence and could have their dog seized.
Will dogs be required to wear a muzzle and lead if I rent a private enclosed field?
We understand that this is currently causing a lot of confusion and are seeking guidance from Defra.
What support and information is available for XL Bully owners?
We understand that this is a difficult and upsetting time for owners. Please continue to give your pet the walks and care that they need as you go through this process. If you are concerned about your dog's behaviour, we would urge you to speak to your vet and they can refer you to an ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist if necessary.
It's advisable to get your dog used to wearing a muzzle by introducing this gradually and positively so that the dog doesn't feel uncomfortable with it on. Read the Blue Cross information about how to muzzle train your dog.
It's also important to ensure your dog is neutered, microchipped and that you have third-party liability insurance.
What’s going to happen to all of the dogs in our care
Until 31 December, we and other rehoming organisations are able to continue rehoming XL Bully types. After this time it will become illegal to rehome to members of the public and we are seeking further information from the UK Government about what this means. This is a difficult time for our staff who have been caring for dogs who are likely to be affected.
We're concerned about what support will be offered by Government to rescue centres to fulfil the requirements of this ban, which will be very difficult for staff and vets to carry out.
Help from Dogs Trust https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr.nwgdnmRlsFM9SH13Bwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwMEcG9zAzMEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1701121693/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dogstrust.org.uk%2fdog-advice%2flife-with-your-dog%2fat-home%2famerican-bully-xl%2fsign-up/RK=2/RS=MWs0A3XlMR1mwPdMvd_Zt0SMYtE-
