XL Bully owners only have 2 weeks left to apply for an Exemption Certificate to avoid their dog being seized and facing court action, which could lead to them losing their pet.
From 1 January 2025, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council dog wardens will have the powers to seize your XL Bully if it has not been exempted.
Almost half of owners with licensed XL Bully dogs in the MEA Council area have already applied for exemption and those remaining owners are urged to take action now.
The application form must be submitted by 31 December 2024 and only takes a matter of minutes to complete. It can be completed at here.
For XL Bully dogs to be eligible for exemption they must be microchipped, licenced and have third-party insurance. Whilst XL Bully dogs must also be neutered as part of the exemption conditions, this can be completed after you have made your application. Depending on the dog’s age, evidence of neutering can be submitted up until 30 June 2025.
The application for exemption must still be made, however, by 31 December 2024, regardless of the age or neutering status of the dog.
A spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said:
“It is essential that XL Bully owners across the Borough act now and apply for an Exemption Certificate to avoid their dog being seized. There’s only two weeks to go until the New legal restrictions for XL Bullies comes into force – time is running out, it is essential owners apply for their certificate as soon as possible.”
Full details of the application process and the conditions for exemption can be found at here.
Please email mea.envhealth@midandeastantrim.gov.uk if you would like guidance on completing your application or you have any queries.
XL Bully type dogs have been added to the list of restricted breeds on 5 July 2024.
The Exemption scheme opened on 9 August 2024 and will close on 31 December 2024. The penalties for breach of the new safeguards are up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine up to £5000.
The definition to be used for an XL Bully type dog will be the same as used by the UK Government. This can be found at Conformation standard for XL Bully Type Dogs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.