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XL bully becomes first dog to be banned in Ireland
It comes after increased fines for owners failing to keep their pet under control were introduced
XL bully dogs will become the first breed to be banned in Ireland after several serious attacks involving the animals.
The breed was linked to a fatal attack in Limerick last month.
XL bullies are banned in England and Wales. Stormont imposed the same restriction on July 5 in Northern Ireland. The Scottish ban comes into force on August 1.
The move is set to be announced on Friday, the Irish Times reported, and will be introduced in two stages.
‘Protect public safety’
A source told the newspaper that the government wanted to “send a clear message that the XL bully is dangerous, causes serious harm and a ban is now necessary to protect public safety”.
A ban on breeding, rehoming, reselling and importing XL bully dogs will be imposed on October 1.
From February 1 next year, no one will be allowed to own an XL bully unless they have a “certificate of exemption,” which will only be issued for dogs that have been licensed, microchipped and neutered.
The ban comes after increased fines for owners failing to keep dogs under proper control were introduced, a campaign on responsible ownership and €2 million in funding to local authorities for dog warden vans and equipment.
Muscular bulldog
XL bully dogs are a type of muscular bulldog and a larger variant of the wider American bully breed type.
Nicole Morey, 23, was killed by her pet dogs, including an XL Bully, at her home in Fedamore, Co Limerick in June.
She had been out celebrating her 23rd birthday but when she returned home, her four dogs, which were all on the restricted breeding list, attacked her.
In 2022, Alejandro Mizsan, a 10-year-old boy living in Co Wexford, suffered severe facial injuries when he was attacked by an XL bully.