XL Bully dog ban could now be copied by other countries after rise in attacks

XL Bully dog ban could now be copied by other countries after rise in attacks

WATCH: XL Bully dogs were banned in England and Wales on February 1 this year

GB News
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 05/03/2024

- 09:59

A series of measures were introduced earlier this year in response to a surge of dog attacks

An XL Bully ban could mirrored across other countries in response to a number of high-profile dog attacks.

Irish Rural and Community Development Minister, Heather Humphreys is said to be "very open" to the idea of copying the UK’s decision to ban specific dangerous breeds.


In England and Wales, it is now a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption.

It is also illegal to sell, abandon or breed an XL Bully dog and they mist wear a lead and muzzle if they are out in public.

XL bully

An XL Bully ban could mirrored across other countries in response to a number of high-profile dog attacks.

Wikipedia Commons

Scotland has announced plans to introduce a ban of its own.

Humphreys announced a series of measures across Ireland earlier this year in response to a surge of dog attacks.

A change of rules included trebling the on-the-spot fines for the most serious offences from €100 to €300.

It comes as former Garda Assistant Commissioner John Twomey is set to launch a new stakeholder Group on Dog Control.

The group will make recommendations to Humphreys to help strengthen legislation around the control of dogs.

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Representatives Government Departments and groups such as the Irish Farmers Association, Dogs Trust, Comhairle na Tuaithe and the ISPCA are expected to come together to deliver the new proposals.

Humphreys is said to be interested in following the UK in taking action against certain dangerous breeds, including the XL Bully.

Despite a ban of the breed being introduced in the UK, nearly 40,000 XL Bullys are thought to still be on Britain’s streets.

Since February 1 it has been illegal to own an XL Bully unless the dog was registered in advance.

\u200bMinister Heather Humphreys

Minister Heather Humphreys announced a series of measures across Ireland earlier this year in response to a surge of dog attacks

PA

Estimates suggest there have been as many as 24 deaths linked to the breed since 2021.

Last month, a XL Bully owner managed to avoid prison despite her pet attacking a woman and a police officer within a few days.

Kimberly Wood, 23, of Bramblewood, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to two counts relating to being in charge of a dangerous dog.

Her dog, Rocco, left a neighbour with long-lasting injuries and attacked a police dog handler last July in two separate incidents.

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