New Legislation

Following a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs, the government has added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

To help current owners adapt to the new laws, these changes will come into force in 2 stages.

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 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 Certificate of Exemption.

From this date all dogs registered with us or wanting to register with us will have to present this certificate.

What should you do?

We recommend that all owners read the following guidance from the government https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs 

Use the Official definition of an XL Bully dog to check if your dog may be an XL Bully. This involves checking the dog’s physical characteristics such as its size and height.

Defra recommends taking a precautionary approach. If you’re not sure if you have an XL Bully dog, you should comply with all new requirements for this dog type. This includes puppies that may grow up to be an XL Bully dog.

Applying for a Certificate of Exemption

Further information on how to apply for a Certificate of Exemption can be found online https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/xl-bully-dogs