There has been a surge in applications for special certs for XL bully dogs ahead of this weekend’s deadline set by new regulations which were introduced months after a fatal dog attack.
At least 100 ‘certificates of exemption’, which allows people to keep their dog until the end of its natural life, have already been granted by local authorities surveyed by the .
XL bully owners have been warned that from Saturday, any such dog without the required paperwork, or not in the system awaiting approval, cannot be rehomed and will be destroyed.
“This is being taken very seriously,” Vincent Cashman of the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.
“People have had plenty of time to sort this, and to get their paperwork. Our advice to owners is even with just a few hours to go, to do the right thing for their dog. If they care about their dog, get the process started today. If they are not sure if their dog meets the criteria, we are available to give advice.”
Cork City Council had received 25 applications for certificates of exemption and had issued 20 certs; Cork County Council had received 35 applications, but has yet to grant one, with applications still being processed.
Kerry County Council had received 34 applications for exemptions and granted 26; Tipperary County Council had received 35 applications by Wednesday — 17 of those in the last week alone — and had granted 11.
Limerick City and County Council had received 22 applications by lunchtime on Monday, had approved 18 and was awaiting approval of four pending the receipt of further documentation; and Waterford City and County Council had received 31 valid applications by the start of the week, granted 10, but 11 had been deemed invalid because the applicant was living in another county.
The remaining applications are being processed or awaiting supporting documentation,” a spokesperson said.
The new regulations were introduced to protect public safety following a number of attacks by XL bully type dogs, a restricted breed, including the mauling to death of Nicole Morey, 23, in Limerick last June.
Days later, members of the Garda Armed Support Unit had to shoot a pit bull terrier dog, a smaller version of the breed, after a woman was injured at a private house in the Ballyphehane area of Cork City.
The regulations, which came into effect last October, prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL bully type dogs.
From Saturday, it will be illegal to own an XL bully type dog without a ‘certificate of exemption’ issued by the local authority responsible for the area in which the dog lives.
Applicants must supply a copy of a valid dog licence, a copy of the microchipping certificate for the dog, veterinary confirmation that the dog has been neutered, and photographic proof of their own identity and proof of address. There is no charge for the certificate.
As a cross of restricted breeds, XL bully type dogs are subject to the existing additional controls including that they must be securely muzzled when in a public place, and they must be kept on a strong chain or leash, no more than 2m long, by a person over 16 who is capable of controlling the dog.
Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. The dog may be seized and euthanised in a humane manner and the owner could face a fine of up to €2,500, a jail term of up to three months, or both.
Dog wardens will be responsible for enforcing the new regulations.
The State is set to oppose an injunction application brought by six animal welfare organisations seeking to halt the new law, which they say is too vague and disproportionate to impose a criminal liability on owners failing to comply.
At the High Court on Thursday, barrister Sunniva McDonagh SC, for the six charities, said she was seeking injunctive relief against the State from imposing the new law, which is due to come into force the day after today’s hearing.
The plaintiffs say the ban is “overly broad” and lacks appropriate safeguards for existing owners who may have their dog seized if not in possession of an exemption certificate.
In October, it became illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell XL bully dogs, which are the largest of the American bully breed. However, animal shelters and charities with XL bully dogs already in their facilities were given until February 1 to re-home or export them.
