Advice for XL Bully Owners

Apply for your Certificate of Exemption

• XL Bully Exemption Scheme

  From 1 January 2025, it is also an offence to own an XL Bully type dog without an Exemption Certificate. 

  If the owner of an XL Bully dog does not have an Exemption Certificate, we will seize their XL Bully dog and the owner could face court action.

  XL Bully owners wanting to obtain an Exemption Certification must have made an application by 31 December 2024, as the scheme has now closed.

  If you have not yet received your Exemption Certificate and you are asked for proof of exemption by a dog warden, you can simply advise of your name and address, and they will be able to confirm the status of your application.

• After you apply for an exemption

  Once you have an Exemption Certificate for your XL Bully, you must follow these rules for the life of the dog: 

  • Keep the dog at the same address as the certificate holder – you can temporarily keep it at a different address for up to 30 days in a 12-month period 
  • Tell the Council if you permanently change address – you do not need to tell if you temporarily keep the dog at another address for up to 30 days in a 12-month period 
  • Tell the Council if the dog dies or is exported 
  • Have third party public liability insurance for your dog – you can change insurance, but there can be no gap in cover and you must give proof of insurance to your local council annually
  • Keep the dog muzzled in public places – it's best to use a muzzle that lets the dog pant, breathe and drink easily 
  • Keep the dog on a lead in public places – someone over 16 years old must securely hold the lead 
  • Keep the dog in secure conditions so it cannot escape.

  If one of the Council's Enforcement Officers request, you must also give: 

  • Access to the dog to read its microchip 
  • Proof of suitable third party liability insurance within five days of their request 
  • The Exemption Certificate within five days of their request.

  If you do not follow these rules, your Exemption Certificate will not be valid, and your dog could be seized.

• Replacement Certificates

  We will only issue a new certificate if you: 

  • Lose your existing certificate  
  • Provide evidence that your name or address has changed.
• Penalties for those breaching the legislation

  Local councils are responsible for dog control enforcement. The maximum penalty for breaching this legislation is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000 for owning an XL Bully dog without an Exemption Certificate.

• Getting your dog microchipped and licensed

  All XL Bully type dogs must be microchipped and licensed for the Exemption Certificate to remain valid.

  A dog licence last for 12 months. If your XL Bully is not already licensed, please do so online.

  Apply for a Dog Licence

  A dog licence cannot be issued for an XL Bully dog without a valid Exemption Certificate. The licence fee for a banned dog such as an XL Bully dog is £12.50. Concessionary rates do not apply.

  If your XL Bully dog was too young to be microchipped when you applied for an exemption, you will have until 31 March 2025 to send the microchip number to us.

  If your XL Bully dog cannot be microchipped for health reasons, an exemption can be made however you must get a certificate from your vet to confirm this.

  Find more information on microchipping your dog.

• Third party public liability insurance

  You must have third party public liability insurance for your dog. The cover must begin no later than 1 January 2025. You may wish to consider signing up for The Dogs Trust Companion Club which includes insurance for XL Bully type dogs.

  The policy/membership must:

  • Be renewed annually for the life of the dog and proof given to your local council
  • Be in the same name as the person named on the Exemption Certificate.

  If you use a different insurance provider, you must check that the policy:

  • Covers the policyholder for death or bodily injury to any person caused by the exempted dog
  • Is suitable for a prohibited breed as defined under the The Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.
• Neutering an XL Bully dog

  For your Exemption Certificate to remain valid, you must arrange to have your XL Bully dog neutered. Male dogs must be neutered through castration, and female dogs must be spayed.

  For dogs 18 months or older on 31 December 2024, evidence of neutering having occurred must be given to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council by 30 June 2025.

  For dogs younger than 18 months on 31 December 2024, evidence of neutering must be given to the Council by 30 June 2025, or one month after the dog reaches 18 months of age, whichever is later.

  If you are unsure whether your dog has been neutered, you should seek advice from your vet. You may have to pay a fee for this.

  Download the following form and return it to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to confirm than your XL Bully dog has been neutered:

  Download Veterinary confirmation of neutering form

• DAERA Compensation scheme for owners who do not wish to keep their XL Bully type dog

  If you currently own an XL Bully dog and choose not to adhere to new measures and no longer wish to keep your dog, arrangements may be made to surrender that dog, and for compensation to be paid.

  For XL Bully dog owners £100 compensation is payable in respect of the dog and £100 towards the veterinary fees for euthanising the dog. Rehoming organisations can claim £100 towards the veterinary fees for euthanising.

  For compensation to be payable, owners must have already made arrangements before 31 December 2024 for the XL Bully type dog to be euthanised. However, euthanasia does not need to have occurred by 31 December 2024.

  Please note that the compensation scheme is provided independently of the Council's Exemption Scheme, and any claims for compensation must be sent directly to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for processing by 28 February 2025 using the prescribed compensation claim form for XL Bully owners.  

  For claims where the appointment is carried out after 31 December 2024, proof of when the appointment was made will also be needed, such as a confirmation email.

  Details on the DAERA Compensation Scheme

• Rehoming Organisations

  It is illegal to rehome, sell or transfer ownership of XL Bully type dogs. Rehoming organisations should not rehome XL Bully type dogs.

  Getting an Exemption Certificate for the dog does not mean the dog can be rehomed.

  Rehoming organisations can claim £100 towards the cost of euthanasia for XL Bully type dogs that were euthanised in their care. For compensation to be payable, rehoming organisations must have made arrangements before 31 December 2024 for the XL Bully type dog to be euthanised. However, euthanasia does not need to have occurred by 31 December 2024.

  For compensation claims where the appointment is carried out after 31 December 2024, proof of when the appointment was made will also be needed, such as a confirmation email.

  Claims for compensation must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for processing by 28 February 2025 using the compensation claim form for rehoming organisations. The necessary evidence must also be given. 

• Definition of an XL Bully Dog

  In Northern Ireland, the definition used for an XL Bully type dog is the same as the one that the UK Government set out for England and Wales, and which is also used in Scotland.

  It is known as a physical conformation standard. This detailed guidance sets out descriptions of height, head, teeth, neck, forequarters, body, hindquarters, feet, tail, and coat.

  • Conformation standard for XL Bully type dogs

  The XL Bully is not officially recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club UK and due to the lack of recognition of the breed, there is no guarantee that the dogs are bred responsibly. 

  Potential inbreeding may exaggerate behaviours such as aggression, and the strength and size of these dogs means any attacks or bites are more likely to be serious.

• Stray and abandoned XL Bully type dogs

  It is illegal to abandon your XL Bully type dog, or let it stray. 

  If you find a stray or abandoned dog of any breed, you should contact Environmental Health.

  E. envhealth@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk
  T. 028 9034 0160

• More useful links

  Buying a dog and responsible dog ownership