The RSPCA is reminding XL Bully owners that they have one week left to apply for exemption to legally keep their pet.
Online applications to exempt an XL Bully close at noon on Wednesday 31st January.
It will be illegal to own an XL bully in England and Wales after this date if the exemption process has not been completed.
Gaines: Please don’t leave it too late
Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said,
“Our message to XL Bully owners who want to exempt their dog is, please don’t leave it too late.
“Whilst there are ongoing legal challenges, we don’t know when these will take place or what the outcome will be – but as it stands, from 1st February, XL Bully owners will need to have a certificate of exemption to legally keep them.
“If XL Bully owners do not have a certificate of exemption from this date, their dog will be illegal which means that owners could get a criminal record, their dog could be seized, put to sleep and they could face an unlimited fine.”
Apply for exemption
Owners of XL Bullies in England and Wales can apply for exemption on the UK Government website. There is a fee of £92.40 per dog and a requirement to have third party public liability insurance for banned breeds.
This type of insurance is available via the Dogs Trust companion club and information is on its website.
As part of the exemption process, XL Bully owners will also have to ensure:
- The dog is neutered (the dates at which your dog needs to be neutered is dependent on their age and more information can be found on the UK Government website)
- The dog is microchipped
- Third party insurance is obtained
- A certificate of exemption is issued
- That the dog is kept at the same address as the registered keeper except for up to 30 days in 12 months
- They notify the agency of any change of address
- They notify the agency of the death or export of the dog
- They keep the dog muzzled and on a lead when in a public place
- They keep the dog in sufficiently secure conditions to prevent escape
Other measures
Dogs aged less than one year old by 31st January 2024 must also be neutered by 31st December 2024, and dogs older than one must be neutered by 30th June 2024. The RSPCA is urging owners to arrange for their dog to be neutered as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline and risking the ability to legally keep their dog. Blue Cross, Battersea and the RSPCA have partnered on a neutering scheme to help eligible owners.
The UK Government’s definition of the XL Bully can be found on its website.
Dog Control Coalition
The RSPCA is part of the Dog Control Coalition, which does not agree with the ban on XL Bullies.
Behind the scenes, the Coalition has been working to lobby the governments in the UK to minimise the impact of this legislation on responsible dog owners, behaviourally sound dogs and on veterinary professionals and their teams.
News shared by Suzanne on behalf of RSPCA. Ed
