XL Bully: New legislation comes into effect

The owner of an animal shelter says she is concerned about new legislation that will ban the rehoming of XL bully dogs in Northern Ireland.

From Friday, the first stage of new legal safeguards come into force.

While it will remain legal to own an XL Bully dog, they must be muzzled and kept on a short lead in public places.

Karen Matthews, from Almost Home Animal Centre, says her team work to “rescue, not destroy” animals.

“The last thing I want is to have a centre full of XL Bullies and having to make that choice [to destroy],” she added.

The restrictions aimed at safeguarding people, livestock or any other animal from attacks by XL Bully dogs came into effect at midnight.

Selling, gifting, exchanging or breeding from an XL Bully dog is banned and rescue centres will also no longer be able to accept an XL Bully dog.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir said the restrictions are designed to protect the public and are proportionate.

He said it was the “best approach in this situation” following the recent fatal attacks attributed to XL Bully type dogs, one in London and another in Limerick.

The total number of dog attacks investigated in Northern Ireland’s 11 councils for April 2023 to March 2024 is 1,581, according to DAERA.

XL Bully dogs are behind 48 of these attacks, with 30 of these resulting in injuries to persons or other animals.