Number of XL bullies on register more than doubles

From 31 December it will be illegal to own an XL bully-type dog without an exemption certificate

The number of XL bully-type dogs registered in Northern Ireland has more than doubled since it was announced that the breed would be banned.

Owners who want to keep their dog after the ban need to get an exemption certificate.

Applications opened on Friday and are only available for people whose dogs are registered.

There are 311 XL bully-type dogs registered in Northern Ireland, more than twice as many as the 140 registered in March when the ban was first announced.

The figures from councils also show the number has more than tripled from the 90 registered in October 2023.

It is illegal to sell, gift, exchange or breed an XL bully dog and rescue centres are no longer able to accept the breed.

The dogs must also be muzzled and kept on a short lead in public places.

From 31 December it will be illegal to own an XL bully-type dog without an exemption certificate in Northern Ireland.

The restrictions are aimed at safeguarding people, livestock or any other animal from attacks by XL bully dogs.

The scheme to apply for an exemption certificate opened on Friday and applications must be posted to councils before 15 December, or emailed by 31 December.

It is already illegal to own an XL bully in the rest of the UK without an exemption certificate.

'Register anyway, just to be sure' - USPCA

Siobhan McHaffie

"It’s really, really important for anyone that thinks their dog might meet the government guidelines applies for one of these exception certificates," the USPCA's Siobhan McHaffie told BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme.

Ms McHaffie, the charity's operations and development director, said dog licensing is still something some pet owners do not fully understand.

"The notion of exception certificates are only really adding to that," she said.

"I would really urge anyone that thinks their dog might be an XL Bully - and this is a problem as well because XL bullies aren’t a recognised breed by the Kennel Club - [to apply] just to be sure."

Ms McHaffie added that if owners have not registered by the end of this year, their pet could be classified as illegal and subsequently destroyed.

"Across the water we’ve seen an awful lot of healthy dogs put to sleep because of this ban and it’s just horrendous."

XL bullies must be muzzled and kept on a short lead in public places

The number licensed of XL bully-type dogs can be broken down by council area:

• Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council - 36

• Ards and North Down Borough Council – 35

• Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council – 27

• Belfast City Council – 55

• Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council - 32

• Derry City and Strabane District Council - 11

• Fermanagh and Omagh District Council – 3

• Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council - 43

• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council – 29

• Mid Ulster District Council - 7

• Newry, Mourne and Down District Council – 33

Ahead of applications opening for exemption certificates for the dogs, some local councils have written to the owners to remind them of their responsibilities under the new regulations, others have advertised the process on their websites and social media.

Spokespeople from several councils said they would continue to engage with XL bully owners to ensure that the dogs could still be kept "legally and safely" after the ban.

For those owners who do not wish to keep their XL bully under the new regulations, a compensation scheme has been launched to have the dogs euthanised.

Compensation of £100 for the dog and £100 towards the vet fees is available.

For compensation to be payable, owners must arrange for the dog to be euthanised before 31 December.