XL Bully Regulations

Updated Control of Dogs (XL Bully)(Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Control of Dogs (XL Bully) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which came into effect on Monday, 9th June 2025, introduce a formal review process for cases where a Dog Warden seizes a dog on the grounds that it is of the XL Bully type and does not hold a Certificate of Exemption. If the owner disputes the Dog Warden’s opinion, they may request a review of that determination.

A brief summary of the new regulations is provided below, however you should refer to the regulations.

• In the first instance, if a Dog Warden forms the opinion that a dog is an XL Bully type dog, and no Certificate of Exemption has been granted/applied for the dog, then the Dog Warden should seize the dog and provide a Notice to the Relevant Owner.
• If the owner provides a Notice of No Objection, then they have confirmed that they do not object to the dog being euthanised in a humane manner.
• If the owner provides a Review Request form within 21 days of the seizure of the dog, the dog should be immediately returned to the owner. The dog will be subject to some additional restrictions while the review is taking place. Once the 21 day period has passed, a review officer who will be assigned by the local authority will then have a further 28 days to consider all available evidence that has been submitted and they will issue a binding decision.
• If the review officer confirms the dog is an XL Bully type dog, and the dog was born before 10th December 2024, the owner is entitled to apply for a Certificate of Exemption for the dog.
• If the review officer confirms the dog is an XL Bully type dog, and the dog was born after 10th December 2024, the dog should be seized and euthanised in a humane manner, as no XL Bully type dogs are permitted to have been born after 10th December 2024.
• If the review officer confirms the dog is not an XL Bully type dog, then no further action is required. The dog will still be subject to the usual restrictions if they are a restricted breed/type of dog.