XL Bully owners to take action now to avoid their pet being seized
13 December 2024
XL Bully owners only have only weeks left to apply for an Exemption Certificate to avoid their dog being seized and facing court action, which could lead to them losing their pet.
From 1 January 2025, Derry City and Strabane District Council dog wardens will have the powers to seize your XL Bully if it has not been exempted.
While a significant number with licensed XL Bully dogs in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area have already applied for exemption and those remaining owners are urged to take action now.
The application form must be submitted by 31 December 2024 and only takes a matter of minutes to complete. Applications should be made through the council via an online form on our website at- https://www.derrystrabane.com/services/health-communitywellbeing/dog-control-animal-welfare/xl-bully-dogs
For XL Bully dogs to be eligible for exemption they must be microchipped, licenced and have third-party insurance. Whilst XL Bully dogs must also be neutered as part of the exemption conditions, this can be completed after you have made your application. Depending on the dog’s age, evidence of neutering can be submitted up until 30 June 2025.
The application for exemption must still be made, however, by 31 December 2024, regardless of the age or neutering status of the dog.
Seamus Donaghy, Head of Community Health and Wellbeing with Derry City and Strabane District Council encouraging people to apply for the exemption ahead of the deadline said: “Time is running out to apply for an Exemption Certificate and the risks of not doing so are serious – your dog could be seized and you could be taken to court. Owners without a certificate risk losing their pet. I would like to encourage owners of XL dogs to take action now and ensure their dog gets exempted before 31 December 2024. Although neutering your XL Bully is a condition of exemption, there is still time to neuter your XL Bully after the 31 December 2024, so the important thing is to submit your application in time.”
Full details of the application process and the conditions for exemption can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/xlbullydogs.
Please contact the Dog Control section at Derry City and Strabane District Council. if you would like guidance on completing your application or if you have any queries.