From 31 December 2023 breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an XL Bully dog to stray will be illegal.
To read more about the ban, check the Gov.uk website.
To check the official breed description, check the government's 'breed definition' page.
Following 31 December 2023, it is a criminal offence to:
- Breed the dog
- Sell, exchange or give away the dog
- 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
Existing owners who wish to keep their dogs will have until the end of January to register them and will be forced to comply with the above requirements. These dogs must also be microchipped and neutered. Dogs under one year when the ban comes in must be neutered by the end of the year, older dogs must be neutered by the end of June.
From 1 February 2024, it is illegal to own an XL Bully dog without a Certificate of Exemption.
Owners can access the most up to date information on what action they need to take and when on the government's dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).