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Almost 1,000 granted exemption from XL Bully dog ban

Figures show that 48 XL Bully dogs have been surrendered since the ban came into force
Figures show that 48 XL Bully dogs have been surrendered since the ban came into force

Almost 1,000 XL Bully dog owners have been granted an exemption from a recent ban on ownership of the breed.

It comes as over 1,800 XL Bully dog owners have applied for exemptions since the ban came into force.

New figures also show 48 XL Bully dogs have been surrendered to date.

In a parliamentary response this week, Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary said the greatest number of dogs surrendered were in Dublin (11) followed by Limerick (10), Cork City (4), and Kildare (4).

There were three in Waterford and two each in counties Donegal, Cavan and Tipperary. There were also two surrenders each in south Dublin and Fingal.

Fifteen councils have had no surrenders yet.

It is now illegal to own an XL Bully dog unless owners have a certificate of exemption.

To qualify for an exemption owners must prove their XL Bully dog has been neutered, microchipped, licensed and has third-party insurance. It is now a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog without a licence.

Mr Calleary said the ban on XL Bully dogs was announced in the interest of public safety following a spate of serious attacks.

"Members of the public must comply with the regulations. Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986," Mr Calleary said.

"Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the individual local authorities, who are empowered to seize XL Bully-type dogs where necessary under the relevant statutory provisions," he added

Local authorities do not provide the minister with the number of XL Bully dogs seized but do provide a number of those surrendered.