https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/ Articulate, blogging built on Umbraco 22384 https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/government-guidance-on-xl-bully-dogs/ homepage news <p class="exec_text">Following a rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs, the government has added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.</p> <p>To help current owners adapt to the new laws, these changes will come into force in two stages.</p> <p>From 31 December 2023 it is against the law to:</p> <ul> <li>sell an XL Bully dog</li> <li>abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray</li> <li>give away an XL Bully dog</li> <li>breed from an XL Bully dog</li> <li>have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle</li> </ul> <p>From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless the dog has a Certificate of Exemption.</p> <p><strong>Keeping an XL Bully dog</strong></p> <p>If a customer wants to keep an XL Bully dog after the ban, they must apply for a Certificate of Exemption by 31 January 2024.</p> <p>To get a Certificate of Exemption you must:</p> <ul> <li>Get third party public liability insurance cover for the dog.</li> <li>Neuter the dog permanently if it is not already neutered. A vet must confirm if your dog is already neutered. </li> <li>Pay a fee of £92.40 for each dog. The fee is not refundable.</li> <li>Apply for a certificate of exemption to keep an XL bully dog. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-of-exemption-to-keep-an-xl-bully-dog"><strong>More here</strong>.</a> </li> </ul> <p>To keep an XL Bully dog it must be:</p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">microchipped</span></li> <li>kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public</li> <li>kept in a secure place so it cannot escape</li> <li>neutered</li> </ul> <p>The owner must:</p> <ul> <li>be over 16 years old</li> <li>take out third party public liability insurance against your dog injuring other people</li> <li>be able to show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden, either at the time or within five days</li> </ul> <p><strong>Breeding XL Bully dogs</strong></p> <p>From 31 December 2023, it is a criminal offence to breed XL Bully dogs. This includes:</p> <ul> <li>breeding from an XL Bully dog</li> <li>allowing for an XL Bully dog to be bred from any combination of other dogs</li> </ul> <p><strong>Rescue and rehoming centres</strong></p> <p>From 31 December 2023, it is illegal to rehome, sell or transfer ownership of XL Bully dogs. From this date, rescue and rehoming centres should not rehome XL Bully dogs.</p> <p> </p> Tue, 02 Jan 2024 15:29:24 Z 2024-01-02T15:29:24Z