From the 31st December XL Bully’s will be added to the list of banned dogs. This means that from this date you cannot breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon, or allow them to stray.
If you own an XL Bully (please check the government website for breed specification) you have until the 1st February 2024 to sign up to the governments exemption scheme (details not yet released for signing up to the scheme). From the 1st February 2024 it is illegal to own an XL bully if you do not have a certificate of exemption which means you can face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if you are found to be in possession of an XL bully type. Your dog could also be seized.
Signing up to the exemption scheme means you can keep your dog as long as they meet certain criteria. The cost of signing up for the scheme is £92.40.
They must be microchipped and neutered.
They must be muzzled and kept on a lead while in a public place.
They must be kept in a secure place which they are unable to escape from.
You must have third party liability insurance.
Neutering of your dog must be carried out by the 31st December 2024 if your dog is under 1 year old on the 31st January 2024. If your dog is older than 1 year of age on the 31st January 2024 they must be neutered by 30th June 2024.
Our advice to you if you own a XL bully type or think you do is to first check the government website to see if your dog fits the official definition.
Start to get your dog used to wearing a muzzle by carrying out muzzle training. We recommend positive reward-based training and there are some videos on you tube.
Arrange to have your dog neutered as soon as possible if you have not already done so. You will need to have proof that this has been carried out and there has been mention of a proof of neutering form which needs to be filled out by your vet and then sent to Defra. We currently do not have any further details about this.
Arrange for third party liability insurance as soon as possible. You can obtain this from Dogs Trust details of which can be found on their website.
Sadly, this also means that from 31st December 2023 rehoming and rescue centres are unable to rehome XL bully’s even when well behaved and well socialized.
For members of the public who own an XL bully type and do not wish to keep it and sign up to the scheme, the government is offering them £200 compensation to have their dog euthanaised.
Anne Nelson Vets WILL NOT be carrying out euthanasia on any healthy XL bully’.
