Guidance for XL Bully breed owners and our Pet Policy
The UK Government has now confirmed that the XL Bully breed will be added to the list of dogs which are banned in England and Wales. From 1 February 2024 it will be illegal to own an XL Bully unless your dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.
We know this may be concerning and upsetting for owners and have outlined below your legal obligations and the impact this has on your tenancy.
What does this mean?
Legislation states:
From 31 December 2023 the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was amended in relation to XL Bully Dogs and it is now a criminal offence to:
- Breed from the dog
- Sell or exchange the dog
- Give the dog away
- Allow the dog to be in a public place without being muzzled and kept on a lead
- Abandon the dog or allow it to stray
What do you need to do?
From 1 February 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully unless your dog has been exempted. You can apply for a Certificate of Exemption, to legally keep your dog, by applying on the Government website
This process currently costs £92.40 per dog and you will have until the end of February to do this.
As part of the process to exempt your dog, you will need third-party liability insurance, which is insurance against your dog injuring other people.
Your dog must be microchipped (which is already a legal requirement).
Your dog will also need to be neutered. If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 30 June 2024.
Once your dog has been exempted you must adhere to the conditions otherwise you could be committing a criminal offence and your dog could be seized. You must 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.
Further help and information for owners
If you are unsure if your dog is an XL Bully, please look at the UK Government’s broad legal definition of an XL Bully dog.
If your dog is not currently muzzle trained, please look at Blue Cross or other registered animal charities for muzzle training advice.
If you are concerned about your dog's behaviour, we would encourage you to speak to your vet and they can refer you to an ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist if necessary.
What will we do?
If you are a resident and you own an XL Bully, we expect you to comply with all requirements and will ask for proof of this as part of our Pet Permission policy which is currently being updated.
You will need to reapply for permission in the usual way, either by contacting us or logging a request on My HomeHub, and provide us with a copy of your Certificate of Exemption, proof of insurance and any other requested documentation. Sadly if you fail to provide this information, we will have to involve the relevant authorities.
If you own an XL Bully and require any support or advice, around this guidance, please contact your local vets or a registered animal charity.
What should you do if you believe a dog is dangerous or banned?
Dangerous dogs are dealt with by the Police under the Dangerous Dogs Act. In an emergency, contact the police directly on 999. Banned or stolen dogs should be reported directly to the Police on 101.
