On July 12th 2024 a ban on XL bullies was announced by Minister Heather Humphreys and her office at the Department of Rural and Community Development. Announcement link.
Summary of new law
From October 1st 2024 it will be illegal to import, breed, re-sell or re-home an XL Bully. From February 1st 2025 all XL Bullies will be required to be microchipped, licensed, neutered / spayed and register for a Certificate of Exemption. More about banned and restricted dog breeds.
Dogs.ie’s views
Dogs.ie strongly oppose this ruling of a breed ban. It’s clear to us that there will be unnecessary suffering to these companion animals and the owners themselves. We support the right of each and every person on the island of Ireland to
- own and / or breed their dogs inline with the existing legalisation.
- decide whether their dog is to be neutered or spayed.
We encourage stricter enforcement of the ownership, muzzling & leasing laws by the local dog wardens around the country. We anticipate that XL Bullies in homes, pounds and rescues will be needless put to sleep, when rehoming is no longer an option.
Breed bans around the world have been shown to be ineffective. In the UK the Dangerous Dogs Act started in 1991, banning Pit Bull Terriers, and attacks still happen 30 years later.
A breed ban is the simplistic answer
A outright ban maybe easy to enact but will likely be ineffective stemming dog attacks on its own.
A 2022 study published in the journal Science found that while at least 80% of physical traits can be tied to DNA, only 9% of personality traits are linked to a dog’s breed. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes that “breed-specific bans are a simplistic answer to a far more complex social problem,” and that they distract communities from more sensible approaches to dealing with dog aggression, such as licensing, leash laws, and appropriate socialization and training”.
VIA https://content.naic.org/cipr-topics/breed-specific-legislation
#BanTheBan
To this end we have launched a campaign website where members of the public can contact learn how to contact the DRCD and Minister Humphreys office. This website can be found at www.bantheban.ie 🚫
Notice period – litters on the way
Dogs.ie feels that there was not ample notice period provided to dog owners about the changes in legalisation. Announcing this decision on the final Friday of the Dáil before the summer break is also questionable. There are just 86 days from the announcement to enactment from Friday July 12th 2024 to Tuesday October 1st 2024. The average gestation period of a dog is 63 days, and a dog cannot be re-homed until it’s 56 days. Dog owners who currently have pregnant dogs or dogs that were pregnant in the 6 weeks before this ban was announced, are unlikely able to sell these dogs legally.
Furthermore dogs born around October 1st 2024 will need to be neutered or spayed at the age of 4 months of age by February 1st 2025. Early spaying / neutering of puppies at this age is not generally recommended.
Stakeholder Group on Dog Control
The following are the 19 members of the Stakeholder Group on Dog control
- Chair: Mr John Twomey
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
- Association of Pet Dog Trainers Ireland
- Blue Cross
- County and City Management Association (CCMA)
- Comhairle na Tuaithe
- Dogs Trust
- DSPCA
- Hunting Association of Ireland
- Irish Farmers’ Association
- Irish Kennel Club
- Irish Veterinary Nursing Association
- Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA)
- Madra
- National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC)
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Ireland
To-date 6 group members have released statements against the ban. This includes all 5 of the dog charity members, they have issued statements against the ban. These charities are at the forefront of dealing with difficult dog cases each day, and they fear that this will bring additional dog being put to sleep. The final body with an opposing view is one is focussed on adequate training of dogs. Together they say that a breed ban is not the answer.
About Dogs.ie
Dogs.ie has become the go-to destination for dog lovers across Ireland, revolutionising the way people find their new furry friends. With a mission to connect prospective pet owners with their ideal puppies, Dogs.ie has helped tens of thousands of individuals and families welcome a new four-legged member into their homes. As Ireland’s busiest pet website, it attracts up to 25,000 visitors daily, underscoring its pivotal role in the pet community.
Dogs.ie offers an extensive range of resources designed to support every step of the pet ownership journey. From in-depth breed information and pet care tips to guidance on responsible pet ownership, the website is a comprehensive hub for anyone considering bringing a dog into their life. Whether you are a first-time pet owner or an experienced dog enthusiast, Dogs.ie provides the insights and advice needed to make informed decisions.
For more information, visit Dogs.ie and embark on the rewarding journey of finding your perfect canine companion.
Why do you think this is the answer since to me that the owners have some responsibility they should be be responsible for watching their dog and make sure these on a leash that’s short with a confines like a fence or in the house but mostly there should be bans on the people not the dogs. You can’t make explanations to a dog the people know they need to be confined they know they should be on a leash they know all the rules they should be fined or put in jail or whatever, but the dog should be protected. It’s murder to kill these pets it’s true to our kids and adults who view these babies as their real children and they are if you’ve ever had a dog you would know that if you haven’t then you don’t know that and you won’t ever know it , they should not let their dogs roam wherever they wanna go. They have to have some responsibility and those have to be control by law enforcement. {edited for clarity}
Thanks for your comment. Per the press release, “Dog owners with questions about the incoming regulations can contact DogControl@drcd.gov.ie“