Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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588. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of reports of an increasing number of XL bully dogs being abandoned across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38022/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of some reports in the media in relation to XL Bully type dogs that have been abandoned or allowed to stray. There are provisions within the Control of Dogs Act to deal with any owner found to be abandoning their dog or allowing it to roam, and these provisions will be fully enforced. Any dog found straying, or abandoned, will be seized by a dog warden or a member of An Garda Síochána. That dog may then be disposed of or destroyed in a humane manner after five days if not claimed and any charges paid. Any member of the public who sees a stray or abandoned dog should immediately report it to the Dog Warden in the relevant Local Authority.

The new Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 make it a specific offence for a person to own, keep, purchase, dispose of (whether by sale or otherwise), abandon, allow to stray, breed or import an XL Bully after 1st October 2024.

The ban comes into force in two stages beginning today, the 1st October 2024, with a full ownership ban coming into force on the 1st February 2025.

The period between these two dates will allow current XL Bully type dog owners time to apply for a Certificate of Exemption from their local authority to permit them to keep their dog until the end of its natural life.

All XL Bully type dog owners will be required to licence, microchip and neuter their dogs. Further information on the criteria to qualify and the documentation needed for a Certificate of Exemption application is available on gov.ie/xlbully.

I am committed to improving Dog Control in Ireland and in this context 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 the €2 million I announced for dog warden facilities in November last year (2023) and 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.

In July of this year, together with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, I also announced further funding of €2 million for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025. This funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the ban on XL Bully type dogs.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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589. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, in relation to the Government-proposed ban on XL bully dogs, she will publish full details in relation to this, including information about whether exports will be banned. [38759/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The XL Bully type dog ban comes into force in two stages beginning today, the 1st October 2024, with a full ownership ban coming into force on the 1st February 2025.

The period between these two dates will allow current XL Bully type dog owners time to apply for a Certificate of Exemption from their local authority to permit them to keep their dog until the end of its natural life. There will be no application fee for the Certificate of Exemption.

Following engagement with Animal Welfare organisations and shelters, existing XL Bully type dogs already in these facilities on 1st October can be rehomed or exported subject to strict criteria until 1st February 2025.

All XL Bully type dogs must have a Certificate of Exemption or proof of application for the Certificate of Exemption after the 1st February 2025, including those that are in the care of shelters/animal welfare organisations.

All XL Bully type dog owners will be required to licence, microchip and neuter their dogs. Further information on the XL Bully type dog ban, including the criteria to qualify and the documentation required to be provided by the owner with their application for a Certificate of Exemption, is available on gov.ie/xlbully.

Once a dog has a Certificate of Exemption, its owner (including a shelter/animal welfare organisation) may keep the dog until the end of its natural life. The regulations do not prohibit the export of XL Bully type dogs. If an owner (including a shelter/animal welfare organisation) chooses to export an XL Bully type dog, they are required under the regulations to give notice in writing to the local authority that issued the Certificate of Exemption not later than 30 days after such export.