The move to ban XL bully dogs, which will bring Ireland in line with the laws in Britain and the North, is set to be announced on Friday by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys. There will also be strict new rules introduced in February of next year for those who already own one of the animals.
In order to keep their dog, people will have to get a certificate of exemption, which will confirm that the animal is neutered and microchipped.
Owners who do not follow these rules face having their dogs destroyed.
The XL bully will be the first dog to be banned in Ireland. Previously, no breeds were banned, with owners simply having to abide by restrictions on certain breeds.
These included that the owners had to be over 16, and the dogs had to be muzzled in public, kept on strong leads or a chain and always had to wear collars containing the contact information of the animal’s owners.
The move comes after what Government sources called ‘deeply concerning incidents’ in recent times, including the death of Nicole Morey in Limerick last month and the savage attack on a young boy, Alejandro Mizsan, in Wexford in 2022.
The attacks on Ms Morey and Alejandro were both carried out by XL bullies.
This two-stage ban is being brought in following consultation with the Attorney General. From October 1 of this year, there will be a ban on the breeding, rehoming, reselling and importing of XL bully dogs.
A full ban on owning them will then come into force from February 1 next year, unless the owner can secure a ‘certificate of exemption’.
This certificate will only be issued to owners who can prove they have a dog licence for their XL bully, and that it is microchipped and neutered.
Minister Humphreys has also recently established a stakeholder group on dog control, chaired by Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey.
Minister Humphreys
The Government has also increased the fines where dogs are not kept under proper control and has allocated the provision of €2million to local authorities so that dog wardens have what they need in terms of vans and equipment.
A publicity campaign has also been put in place in recent months to remind the public about responsible dog ownership.
A source said: "Minister Humphreys wants to send a clear message that the XL bully is dangerous, causes serious harm and a ban is now necessary to protect public safety."
Ms Morey had been out celebrating her 23rd birthday with family and friends before the attack happened. Investigators believe she was returning from the celebrations and had just opened her front door when she was mauled by an XL bully.
Another dog, understood to be a Staffordshire Terrier, also joined in the attack on the young woman. After gardaí were alerted, armed officers shot dead one of the dogs and took control of three others.
Ms Morey had previously posted on a dog behavior Facebook group seeking advice on how to control the animal, writing: "When I go to put my XL on the lead for walks, he’s freaking out, running to the door out of excitement. But nearly too excited for us to even get the lead and collar on him."
Ms Humphreys has previously said that she does not know why anyone would want to own an XL bully dog.
Speaking in the Dáil last month, she said: "It is true that any dog can bite a person, but the damage caused by XL bullies happens because their jaws lock and it is not possible to get them off.
"The history of the dogs is that they were bred to be aggressive. It is in their nature. I have said this before. I absolutely do not know why anyone would want to own an XL bully. That is being straight. They are bred to be aggressive and they are dangerous, in my book."
Taoiseach Simon Harris, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, and Justice Minister Helen McEntee have all backed calls to ban the XL bully.
Mr Harris said it was his "instinctive view’ that the breed of dog should be banned."
Ms McEntee said: "Where a dog is known to be potentially vicious… where there is a pattern of particular dogs, then we do need to go further here."
The minister asked: "How do we protect people where they have dogs that are restricted, even within their own homes?"
Minister Helen McEntee
Over the past two years, more than 430 people have been attacked by dogs across the country, with 1,121 children hospitalized from 2012 to 2021.
Alejandro Mizsan, now aged 11, was nine when he was attacked by an XL bully while playing on a green with friends on November 27, 2022 at the Forgelands estate in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
The dog ripped off the boy’s bottom lip, mauled his cheeks and injured his body and legs. Alejandro was airlifted to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin, where he spent seven weeks and underwent several operations.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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