XL Bully ban: 27 Offaly exemptions sought

By Adrian Cusack

Offaly County Council said it has received 27 applications from dog owners for certificates of exemption from the newly-introduced ban on XL Bully dogs.

As of February 1, it is illegal to own an XL Bully-type dog without a certificate of exemption issued by a local authority, or evidence that an application for the certificate has been made.

Late last month, Offaly County Council held drop-in clinics in Tullamore, Edenderry and Birr to give XL Bully owners an opportunity to fill in forms seeking an exemption for their dogs.

A council spokesperson said there was "a good response to our drop-in clinics where we received enquiries from the public and applications from XL Bully owners."

Of the 27 applications received for certificates of exemption in Offaly, the council said 12 had been issued so far, while 15 applications were pending or awaiting further information.

The decision to implement a ban on XL Bully dogs was announced by the since-retired Minister Heather Humphreys last July.

The Minister directed that, as of October last, it would be illegal to import, breed, or re-sell XL Bullies, while owners of existing dogs would have to apply for the certificate of exemption prior to the start of this month.

The ISPCA has raised concerns about the ban, and there has been some confusion about what specifically constitutes an XL Bully type of dog.