Owners of XL Bully-type dogs have made fewer than 150 applications to be allowed to keep the dogs before a strict ban comes into force next month, despite estimates of thousands of such animals in the State.
Since October 1st, the breeding, rehoming, reselling and importation of the dogs has been banned, while from February 1st, owning an XL bully will be prohibited unless the owner has secured a certificate of exemption.
Penalties for breaching the ban include fines of up to €2,500 or imprisonment for up to three months while unregistered dogs will be euthanised.
By November 30th last year, just 142 applications for certificates of exemption had been made by owners, according to latest figures from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
My driving instructor texted me: ‘Things aren’t working out. I’ll transfer you back your money’
Spain proposes 100% tax on homes bought by non-EU residents
Aoife was diagnosed with HIV in Australia in 2020: ‘He was unknowingly positive. We had no idea’
Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot: ‘It’s difficult to be the daughter of a sexual criminal and the daughter of an icon like my mum’
The highest number of applications was made by owners to Kildare County Council (19), followed by Fingal County Council (12) and Meath County Council (nine). Galway City Council and Westmeath County Council have received no applications.
The ban announced was in July following a spate of attacks involving XL bully-type dogs, including the fatal attack on 23-year-old Nicole Morey in Co Limerick.
News of the ban sparked backlash and protests among animal welfare groups and XL bully owners, while charities warned the prohibition would simply not work, pointing to similar curbs in the UK and elsewhere on other breeds.
The Department of Rural and Community Development said it was working with stakeholders to ensure “widespread awareness” of the requirement and it said it expected more applications at the end of the month as the February 1st deadline approached.
It said it could not state how many XL bullies were in the State as some dogs were not registered “whatsoever” while others might not be registered under the XL bully-type breed.
“The need for a proper register to account for our dog population is something that the Dog Control Stakeholder Group will examine,” a spokesman said.
Although there is no official figure in terms of ownership, Conor Dowling, chief inspector at the ISPCA, estimated it to be in the thousands.
This was despite a notable fall in popularity in recent years, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic.
He described the number of applications made to date as “low”, though he expected a late surge before the deadline.
We know there’s only one way it’s going, which isn’t going to sit well with inspectors who want to help animals
While there would be a portion of owners who did not comply with the legislation, he said some may not be aware that their dog came under the definition.
After February 1st, owners of unregistered XL bully-type dogs will no longer have an opportunity to apply for a certificate of exemption. If discovered by dog wardens, the animals will be euthanised, he said.
Mr Dowling expected “complications” for animal welfare inspectors as a result of the ban.
While their primary function was to respond to reports of animal cruelty or neglect accordingly, they would now have to inform dog wardens of XL bully-type dogs, which if not registered after February 1st would be euthanised, he said.
“If we have a welfare concern and feel a dog needs to be removed from an environment and it’s an XL bully, we know there’s only one way it’s going, which isn’t going to sit well with inspectors who want to help animals,” he said.
Since the ban was announced, other animal shelters had reported an increase in the number of surrendered XL bully-type dogs, largely due to the perceived associated difficulties in owning the breed as a result of the ban, he said.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
