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NEW REGULATIONS ARE being put to Cabinet this morning to ban the importation, breeding and selling of XL bully dogs from 1 October.
In July, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys proposed that XL bully dogs would be banned after a spate of attacks. The ban will take place in two phases, beginning with a ban on the sale, breeding and importation beginning on 1 October.
It’s understood Humphreys told a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting last night that she has prepared a memo that will be brought forward at cabinet this morning outlining the regulations for the first phase of the ban.
From 1 February 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully unless the owner has a Certificate of Exemption – which will ensure that the owner has a licence for the dog and that the dog is microchipped and neutered.
After this date, any owner not compliant with the new regulations will have their dog seized and euthanized.
Many animal behavioural experts have taken issue with the new regulations, including the ISPCA who said it was concerned over potential increases in dog abandonments as a result of the ban.
Some experts have said the issue is with training for the owner of the dogs. Writing in The Journal in January after the UK took a similar measure, dog behaviourist Suzi Walsh said dog attacks won’t be solved with just a ban on certain breeds.
But Humphreys said at the time of announcing the ban that the measure was being taken “in the interest of public safety” following a number of attacks by the breed, including when 23-year-old Nicole Morey died earlier this year.
Meanwhile, it is understood Taoiseach Simon Harris is expected to update Cabinet on the work of the Dublin city taskforce – a group aimed at rejuvenating the city centre – and tell them that a report will be published in two-weeks time.
Ahead of the report, the Taoiseach plans to make separate announcement at Cabinet this morning that additional CCTV will be rolled out in Dublin’s north inner city in areas where there is high anti-social behaviour, it is understood.
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All these breeds of dogs should be destroyed straight away absolutely dangerous
@Trump23: but their owners are typically among some of the most responsible members of society?
@Trump23: same should be for Trump supporters, even more dangerous
@brian o’leary: the owners aren’t the reason for the dog having extremely low intelligence and their inherit aggression towards easy targets
@6gRrQtLn: Focus Lance we are talking about XL Bully Dogs. Remember kid focus on the conversation in hand.
@brian o’leary: That’s true it’s the dregs of society animal of choice.
@Trump23: Yes but so many people just defend this choice. It baffles me since thousands of breed are better suited as pets. All pitbull related breeds should be banned and destroyed if found. All guard dogs breed should be a controlled sale with training.
@brian o’leary: The owner are only a tiny part of the problem. The main issue is their breeding practices which make them more aggressive than other breeds. It’s well documented.
@Trump23: complete and other bs. There’s no such thing as an aggressive breed, that’s been scientifically proven. It’s how a dog is raised that determines how they are later in life. There are a lot of incredibly gentle and friendly XL bully’s and then there are some dangerous ones due to their irresponsible owners that don’t know how to raise, socialise, train and take care of a dog properly.
@Trump23: yes,
@Trump23: it’s the way a human raues any dog it’s not the dogs fault there are evil humans out there breeding them to fight and be vicious
@brian o’leary: what a grown up thing to say. Absolute t.i.t
@John:
Tell that to Nicole Morey It’s the dog they are dense thick stupid vicious animals, the dumbest most aggressive breed ever , doesn’t matter how ya raise them there are literally hundreds of cases of perfectly responsible owners and their pits have still turned on them , good training might make it less likely but not always or even in general. There’s a reason why a dog that’s 7 % of the population is 85% of all the attacks and I have stated it above .
@Sandy Seeteen: Sandy you’re absolutely clueless. I’m nearly years working with dogs and these breeds. You clearly don’t have a notion what you’re talking about by labelling a whole breed as aggressive. I’ll stick with the facts and research, you can blabber absolutely crap all you want. Your just proven you don’t know what your talking about
@Sandy Seeteen: also yes there’s a reason and that reason is because young tugs get them as status symbols to look hard and to train them to be aggressive. When responsible owners have them they are amazing dogs. Do a bit of proper research or studying and learn the facts instead of talking complete rubbish
@Eoin .h: tell me you know sweet fa about dogs without telling me you know sweet fa dogs
@Trump23: You have triggered a puffter lol.
@J B: maybe you should change your initials around to BJ and that what that woman who gave birth to you should of done…
There shouldn’t be any exemptions. Only an outright ban on this and other similar breeds.
@Ciaran: that just show how weak they are. A lot of PR, and puff they are gone
@Dominic Leleu: says the one who owns a lion ;-)
@Ciaran: complete and other bs.
There’s no such thing as an aggressive breed, that’s been scientifically proven. So they shouldn’t be discriminated against.
It’s how a dog is raised that determines how they are later in life. There are a lot of incredibly gentle and friendly XL bully’s and then there are some dangerous ones due to their irresponsible owners that don’t know how to raise, socialise, train and take care of a dog properly. More focus should be put into punishing irresponsible dog owners.
@Ciaran: Yep,
Good that these dogs are to be banned. However, how will it be policed? So far the law on muzzles for the proscribed dogs is ignored. Has anyone ever been prosecuted or fined for not picking up dog litter? Who checks up to see if you own a dog licence?
@Shelley Keary: indeed, the irony seeing the march yesterday and half the dogs without muzzles.
Ah poor lads will now have to find a new willy extension, anyone got a noughties Audi, BMW or even a Passat for sale?
@Mark Anthony Savage: correct, and it has to be white
@Mark Anthony Savage: I love willies
All this hate just because these are the dogs that are reported about. A few weeks ago another dog attack was reported but there was no mention of dog breed or the dog being “destroyed” just because it wasn’t an xl bully. Put fear in to society by selective journalism that’s what you get. Fear.
@Darren Cronin: A general term “Drug Dealer Dog” is used and is gradually making keeping large dogs a no no.
@thomas molloy: Except where the hat fits.
@Darren Cronin: Care to give a link to that report? I remember reading a report of a dog attack a couple of weeks back, but the dog breed was mentioned, a bully XL, and the dog was destroyed. But I think it was in the UK.
@Darren Cronin: 100%… “The roads are treacherous”… people buy bigger vehicles to feel safe… “The cars are too big”… lol
Coolock says no!
@Argus Romsworth: Coolock does not say no to their UDA overlords though.
@Argus Romsworth: to drugs?
Der comin in here – taking Air dogs.
@Dave Murray: …they dooby given them to da fordeners
Sad day for the hundreds of Bully’s and similar breeds currently in pounds up and down the country. They haven’t a chance
@Kevin Kerr: Look at it this way, if they’re banned less of them will end up in pounds when the average (not all in fairness) owner either can’t be bothered to look after it or ends up in prison or the dog tears a little kid into pieces.
Queue all the “iTs ThE oWnErS fAuLt!!!!!!” comments…
@Daniel Skelton: Queue the…”turn off your caps lock before typing” comments.
@Daniel Skelton: true tho… cant stop a kn@ck er from being a kn@ck er
I’m a responsible dog owner I’d like to think, who has had a variety of dogs. My biggest baby was a rottweiler who would try to sit on everyone who came to the door so they could do nothing else but pet her. I now have two chihuahuas both sisters one who is so quiet and gentle and approaches children slowly and her sister is hanibal lecter!! Who I can’t allow near small children. My point is…..
No dog can be trusted fully and despite thinking you’re a responsible dog owner it doesn’t always make a difference to the dog.
Euthanized all of them. Unnecessary dog owned usually by folk with a criminal bent.
Need to enforce existing laws that have in place for over 20 years first?
Never seen a conviction for an unmuzzled dog?
Jumping stuff. You should not be allowed to keep any kind of bull dog unless you have a bull as well!
@John:
It’s the dog they are dense thick stupid vicious animals, the dumbest most aggressive breed ever , doesn’t matter how ya raise them there are literally hundreds of cases of perfectly responsible owners and their pits have still turned on them , good training might make it less likely but not always or even in general. There’s a reason why a dog that’s 7 % of the population is 85% of all the attacks and I have stated it above .
Who ever signs a waver for those creatures should be made liable for any injuries or deaths they inflict in their future.
You should not be allowed
have your say