XL Bully Dog Ban
The Council are not responsible to determine the breed or take any control or collection of a banned breed dog.
The sale, abandonment, gifting, breeding and rehoming of XL Bully-type dogs will be banned from 31 December 2023. It will also be illegal to have an XL Bully-type dog in a public place after this date unless suitably muzzled and on a lead.
Ownership will be illegal from 1 February 2024 unless the dog is exempted under the law and certificated accordingly. Owners will have until 31 January 2024 to apply for this exemption, which costs £92.40 per dog.
Guidance published by the government recommends XL Bully-type dog breeders should stop all breeding activity now.
To keep an XL Bully-type dog, owners must ensure they are:
- Microchipped
- Neutered (or if the dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 31 December 2024)
- Kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public from 31 December 2023
- Kept in a secure place so that they can’t escape
Owners must also:
- Have third party liability insurance cover for their dog
- Be aged over 16
- Show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or council dog warden, either at the time or within five days
- Let the Index of Exempt Dogs know if you change address, or your dog dies
If you own an XL Bully-type dog, you can start preparing by making sure your dog is neutered, microchipped and trained to wear a muzzle.
Owners who decide not to keep their dogs can choose to have their dog euthanised and apply for a compensation payment from the Government.
Registration with UK Bully Kennel Club (UKBKC) is simple and straightforward. Visit the UKBKC website and select the appropriate form, complete it and submit it online along with the £92.40 payment. It is vital that the information you give is fully accurate, if there are any areas about which you are unsure then please contact the UKBKC for any additional advice and support you may require. Wyre Council Officers cannot provide advice to members of the public on whether their individual dog may fall within scope of the ban.
The Government will provide more information on how to apply for an exemption for an American XL Bully dogs soon and we'll update this page as quickly as possible after they do.
For more information on the upcoming XL Bully dogs ban, please read the guidance on the GOV UK website