Ban on XL Bully dogs in Ireland

After a number of attacks by XL Bully type dogs in Ireland, new rules were brought in to help keep people safe and prevent further incidents.

On 1 October 2024, it became illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL Bully dog.

On 1 February 2025, it became illegal to own an XL Bully dog unless you have a Certificate of Exemption.

The rules for this ban are set out in the Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 and the Control of Dogs (XL Bully) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

If you are an XL Bully dog owner with questions about these regulations, you can contact DogControl@drcd.gov.ie. There is also an FAQ on the XL Bully regulations.

For more information about owning a dog, visit our page on dog licences and ownership.

XL Bully dogs are a variant of the American Bully breed. They are usually bigger in height and body shape than other American Bully breed types.

There is a physical confirmation standard (pdf), which you can use to check if your dog meets the physical characteristics of an XL Bully dog.

It is your responsibility as the owner to determine if your dog is covered by the ban.

A Certificate of Exemption means you can keep your XL Bully at your home address until the end of their natural life. As the certificate holder, you must keep the dog at this same address where you are living. However, you can take the dog elsewhere for a maximum of 30 days a year.

If you move to a new permanent address, you must apply to your local authority for an updated Certificate of Exemption.

Once you get the certificate, it is your responsibility to make sure that your dog complies with the criteria of the Certificate of Exemption.

Since 1 February 2025, if you own an XL Bully type dog you should have either:

• A Certificate of Exemption from your local authority
• Proof that you have applied for a Certificate of Exemption

Applying for a Certificate of Exemption after 1 February 2025

After 1 February 2025, you can only apply for a Certificate of Exemption in exceptional cases.

For example, you may get one if you are an XL Bully dog owner who previously lived in Ireland and wants to return to live in Ireland with your dog. This exception only applies to owners who can prove they owned their dog before 1 October 2024.

You can use these documents as proof that you owned the dog before October 2024:

• Dog licence
• Microchipping details for the dog from another country
• Veterinary records for the dog
• Receipt from when you bought the dog

You should check all the rules and regulations for pet travel before returning to Ireland with your dog.

Each late application for a Certificate of Exemption will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

To get a Certificate of Exemption, your XL Bully must be:

• Licenced
• Microchipped
• Neutered

You get the application form from your local authority. It is free to get a Certificate of Exemption.

You need to include these documents with your application form:

• Copy of a dog licence for your XL Bully
• Copy of a microchipping certificate for your XL Bully
• A form confirming your XL Bully has been neutered or can’t be neutered because they are medically unfit. This form is available from your local authority and must be signed by your vet.
• Photo ID for the owner, such as a passport or driver’s licence
• Proof of the owner’s address, for example, a recent copy of a utility bill or bank statement

The local authority will process your application and send you either a:

• Certificate of Exemption
• Letter of refusal
• Request for more information

If your application for a Certificate of Exemption is refused, your local authority will write to you explaining the reasons why it was refused. You can try and resolve any issues with the application and re-apply. You must re-apply within 10 days of the refusal being issued.

What information is on the Certificate of Exemption?

The Certificate of Exemption, contains information about your XL Bully, such as:

• The dog’s licence details
• Microchip details
• Neutering details
• The dog’s age
• A description of the dog

It also includes information about you, such as your:

• Name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Phone number

If you break the rules of the XL Bully ban, you could be:

• Fined up to €2,500
• Imprisoned for up to 3 months
• Both fined and imprisoned

If you don’t have a Certificate of Exemption for your XL Bully dog by 1 February 2025, your dog can be seized and put down.

You can appeal if you don’t think your dog is an XL Bully, but it has been seized because the dog warden thinks it is, and you don’t have a Certificate of Exemption.

To ask for a review of the dog warden’s decision you must:

• Complete and send a review request form to your local authority explaining why you don’t think your dog is an XL Bully.
• Send any evidence or documents to support your opinion

You need to do this within 21 days of getting the notice from your local authority explaining why your dog was seized. If your dog was seized when it was with someone else, the 21-day period starts 14 days after the dog was taken. You need a request review form to make an appeal. You contact your local authority for this form.

How will the appeal be decided?

An independent vet will review the dog warden’s decision and either confirm or reject it This decision will be made within 28 days. You will get your dog back while the review is being completed.

If the review confirms the dog warden’s decision and your dog was born before 10 December 2024, you can apply to your local authority for a Certificate of Exemption. You have 28 days from the date of the review decision to apply.

If your dog is confirmed to be an XL Bully by the review and it was born after 10 December 2024, your dog will be seized and euthanised.

You don’t need to do anything more, if the outcome of the review agrees with you that your dog is not an XL Bully.

If you have questions about the XL Bully ban and regulations, you can contact DogControl@drcd.gov.ie.