Wexford County Council XL Bully Regulations 2024 (SI 491/2024)
New ownership rules have been introduced to protect public safety following a number of attacks by XL Bully type dogs.
XL Bully
From 1 October 2024 it will be illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL Bully dog.
From 1 February 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully unless you have a Certificate of Exemption.
XL Bully owners have between October 1st 2024 and January 31st 2025 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
Certificate of Exemption
You can apply for a valid Certificate of Exemption from now until January 31st 2025. If you do not hold a valid Certificate of Exemption after January 31st 2025 or have proof of application, the dog will be seized and thereafter may be euthanised by a veterinary officer on behalf of the Wexford County Council unless compliance with the regulations is subsequently proven.
The Certificate of Exemption is a once-off document that will last the lifetime of your XL Bully.
There will be no fee for this certificate.
In order to apply for this certificate you will need:
- To read the Certificate of Exemption requirements (see below)
- A microchipping certificate.
- More information on microchipping can be found (see below).
- Confirmation of Neutering form.
- Proof of identity (i.e. passport, drivers licence, public services card ).
- Proof of address (i.e. copy of a utility bill/bank statement within the last 3 months).
- A copy of your dog licence.
- More information on dog licences can be found (see below).
- Once you have completed your application, please send it directly to this office;
Email: environment@wexfordcoco.ie
Post: Environment Section, Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93.
Identifying an XL Bully Dog
The XL Bully type is a variant of the wider American Bully breed type. The XL Bully type is typically larger (both in terms of height and body shape) and more muscular than other American Bully breed types such as the ‘Micro’, ‘Pocket’, ‘Standard’ and ‘Classic’.
The onus is on the dog owner to identify their dog as an XL Bully for which a Certificate of Exemption is required.
For additional guidelines on identifying your dog as an XL Bully, (see document below).
Neutering
You must arrange to have your XL Bully dog neutered by your Veterinary Surgeon/Practitioner. Neutering must be carried out through castration for male dogs or spaying for female dogs.
Once your dog has been neutered, you must complete a Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Status Form. This form must be counter-signed and stamped by your Veterinary Surgeon/Practitioner and forwarded to your Local Authority.
When you need to do this depends on how old your dog is on 1 October 2024:
If your dog has already been neutered, you must fill in this form as soon as possible, have it counter-signed by your Veterinary Surgeon/Practitioner and return with this application form.
If your dog is 18 months or older and unneutered, you must return the completed form as soon as possible or at the latest by 30th June 2025.
If your dog is younger than 18 months you must return the form to your Local Authority within one month of the dog turning 18 months or at the latest 1 July 2026.
No forms will be accepted after 1st July 2026. Any applications that do not have a confirmation of neutering form by this date will be void.
Microchipping
You must make sure your dog is implanted with a microchip and registered on an approved database by the time it is 12 weeks old.
List of approved microchip databases:
gov - Animal Welfare (www.gov.ie)
If you are unsure whether your dog is microchipped, a Veterinary Surgeon/Practitioner will be able to scan and confirm.
Refusal of Certificate of Exemption
In the event of Refusal of your Application for a Certificate of Exemption for any reason you will be notified in writing.
Application Review Process
If you are refused a Certificate of Exemption on the grounds of missing documentation, which you are now able to provide, you can reapply for the Certificate of Exemption to a senior officer of your Local Authority. Re-applications must be made within 10 working days of the issuing of the refusal and must set out the grounds on which you are reapplying. You will be advised of this process in the letter of refusal.
Contact Information
Environment Section,
Wexford County Council
Carricklawn,
Wexford
Y35 WY93
053 9196000
Download the latest documents
Application Form For Certificate of Exemption
Guidance on Application of Certificate of Exemption