Written answers
Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Department of Rural and Community Development
Animal Welfare
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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861. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to her announcement of a ban on XL Bully dogs, if there will be a mechanism post-1 February 2025 whereby a person can apply for a certificate of exemption should an existing owner become unable to adequately care for their pet necessitating re-homing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36258/24]
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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862. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if any supports will be made available to the owners of XL Bully dogs regarding costs arising from her Department’s ban on the breed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36259/24]
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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863. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to her announcement of a ban on XL Bully dogs, her definition of XL Bully; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36260/24]
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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864. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if animal shelters are required to microchip and neuter dogs; if additional resources will be provided should there be an increase in the number of XL Bully dogs in their care arising from her Department’s ban; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36261/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 861, 862, 863 and 864 together.
My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. As the Deputy will be aware, animal welfare and microchipping is under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). My Department is working with DAFM to co-ordinate efforts in the area of dog control across government.
I recently announced a ban on XL Bully dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following 2 stages.
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.
The regulation will detail a system of 'Certificates of Exemption' for XL Bully dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully dog. There will be a 4 month period between the 1st October 2024 and the 31st January 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a 'Certificate of Exemption' in order to keep their XL Bully dog.
For consistency across jurisdictions, Ireland will be using the physical conformation standard applied in both the UK and Northern Ireland. While there are a series of subjective criteria contained in this standard to support the identification of an XL Bully dog, there is one size criteria that is definitive. In order to be classified as an XL Bully type dog, the following height criteria will apply:
- An adult male dog, has a height of not less than 51cm (20 inches) as measured at the withers
- An adult female dog, has a height of not less than 48cm (19 inches) as measured at the withers
There will be a mechanism in the regulation to allow for an updated 'Certificate of Exemption' to be issued, should the existing owner die or become incapacitated and unable to care for their XL Bully dog.
The application process for a 'Certificate of Exemption' will be managed by local authorities. Details of the conformation standard, further information on the criteria to qualify, and any support schemes will be available on gov.ie shortly. However, as I previously announced in July, all XL Bully dog owners will be required to Licence, Microchip and Neuter their XL Bully dogs.
The regulation will be enforced within the framework of the primary legislation - in this case, the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and 2014. In this context, local authorities, through the Dog Warden Service will be responsible for its enforcement.
In addition, I recently announced €2 million in capital funding to local authorities to expand and improve their dog pounds and dog warden facilities. This funding is in addition to €2 million I announced for dog warden facilities in November last year (2023). This funding comes as a direct response to increased pressures on dog control services and will make immediate and tangible improvements to the dog control service across the country.
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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865. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way the legislation being introduced on 1 October 2024 regarding XL Bully dogs deals with animals that are healthy, have no history of aggression, have been surrendered to a shelter and would otherwise be deemed suitable for re-homing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36407/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I recently announced a ban on XL Bully dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following 2 stages.
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.
The regulation will detail a system of Certificates of Exemption for XL Bully dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully dogs. There will be a 4 month period between the 1st October 2024 and the 31st January 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a Certificate of Exemption in order to keep their XL Bully dogs.
The application process for a Certificate of Exemption will be managed by Local Authorities. Details of the conformation standard and further information on the criteria to qualify will be available on gov.ie shortly. However, as I previously announced in July, all XL Bully dog owners will be required to License, Microchip and Neuter their XL Bully dogs.
After 1st February 2025, any owner not compliant with the new regulations will have their dog seized and euthanised.
Similar measures have been recently announced in both the UK and Northern Ireland.
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