XL Bully dogs
Due to a rise in attacks and fatalities caused by American Bully XLs, this breed was added to the list of banned dogs throughout the UK and ROI under The Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.
Safeguards were introduced in Northern Ireland to reduce the risk of an attack by an XL Bully type dog on a member of the public, livestock or another animal. This means it is an offence to:
- Breed or breed from an XL Bully
- Sell or exchange an XL Bully
- Abandon an XL Bully or let is stray
- Have an XL Bully in public without a lead & muzzle
From 1 January 2025, it became an offence to own an XL Bully type dog without an Exemption Certificate. If the owner of an XL Bully dog does not have an Exemption Certificate, council will seize their XL Bully dog and the owner could face court action.
The maximum penalty for illegally owning an XL Bully in Northern Ireland without a valid Exemption Certificate is up to six months in prison, a fine of up to £5,000, or both, alongside the seizure of the dog.
Definition of an XL Bully Dog
In Northern Ireland, the definition used for an XL Bully type dog is the same as the one that the UK Government set out for England and Wales, and which is also used in Scotland.
It is known as a physical conformation standard. This detailed guidance sets out descriptions of height, head, teeth, neck, forequarters, body, hindquarters, feet, tail, and coat.
The XL Bully is not officially recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club UK and due to the lack of recognition of the breed, there is no guarantee that the dogs are bred responsibly.
Potential inbreeding may exaggerate behaviours such as aggression, and the strength and size of these dogs means any attacks or bites are more likely to be serious.
Licensing your XL Bully dog
All XL Bully type dogs must be licensed for the Exemption Certificate to remain valid. The licence fee for an XL Bully dog is £12.50, concessionary rates do not apply.
A dog licence lasts for 12 months and application forms for renewal of a dog licence, are available from council offices or on this link https://www.derrystrabane.com/services/health-communitywellbeing/dog-control-animal-welfare/online-dog-licensing.
Exemption Certificate
To maintain an Exemption Certificate for your XL Bully, you must follow these rules for the life of the dog:
- license your dog every year.
- keep the dog at the same address as the certificate holder – you can temporarily keep it at a different address for up to 30 days in a 12-month period
- tell your local council if you permanently change address – you do not need to tell if you temporarily keep the dog at another address for up to 30 days in a 12-month period
- tell your local council if the dog dies or is exported
- keep the dog muzzled in public places – it's best to use a muzzle that lets the dog pant, breathe and drink easily
- keep the dog on a lead in public places – someone over 16 years old must securely hold the lead
- keep the dog in secure conditions so it cannot escape
- Starting 1st November 2026, a legal condition under the exemption rules will make it illegal to leave a child under 12 unsupervised in close proximity to an XL Bully in a home or private setting
If the local council asks, you must also give:
- access to the dog to read its microchip
- a copy of Exemption Certificate within five days of their request
If you do not follow these rules, your Exemption Certificate will not be valid, and your dog could be seized.
Replacement certificates
Your local council will only issue a new certificate if you:
- lose your existing certificate
- provide evidence that your name or address has changed
Penalties for those breaching the legislation
Local councils are responsible for dog control enforcement. The maximum penalty for breaching this legislation is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000 for owning an XL Bully dog without an Exemption Certificate.
Seizure of an XL Bully
If the owner of an XL Bully dog breaches the Exemption Certificate or does not have an Exemption Certificate, council will seize their XL Bully dog and the owner could face court action.
The owner will then be given the option to surrender their dog for it to be put to sleep or go to court to seek a Contingent Destruction Order for their dog. A contingent destruction order is a court order for dogs deemed dangerous, allowing them to live under specific conditions rather than being immediately destroyed. If the dog's owner complies with these conditions, the destruction order is suspended.
If the conditions are not met, the dog can be seized and destroyed, and the owner may face further legal consequences, including potential imprisonment and costs associated with the dog's keep and destruction.
Stray and abandoned XL Bully type dogs
It is illegal to abandon your XL Bully type dog, or let it stray.
If you find a stray or abandoned dog of any breed, you should contact DCSDC, Dog Control Department @ [email protected] or telephone 02871 253253
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