XL bully owners have just one week left to apply for exemption

The RSPCA has reminded owners of XL bully dogs they have just one week left to apply for exemption and legally keep their pet.

Online applications to exempt an XL bully close at noon on Wednesday, January 31.

It will be illegal to own an XL bully in England and Wales after this date if the exemption process has not been completed.

The restrictions brought in by the government follow a series of attacks by the breed, with American XL bully dogs being linked to around 10 deaths in the past two years, according to national media reports.

The RSPCA is part of the Dog Control Coalition, which does not agree with the ban on XL bullies but instead wants the government to work on minimising the effects of the legislation on responsible owners of sound dogs, as well as vets and their teams.

But the RSPCA has urged owners who have not yet done so to exempt their dogs before it is too late.

Dogs with a certificate of exemption must be micro-chipped, neutered, be muzzled in a public place, kept securely and have third party insurance.

Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “Whilst there are ongoing legal challenges, we don’t know when these will take place or what the outcome will be - but as it stands, from February 1, XL bully owners will need to have a certificate of exemption to legally keep them.

“If owners do not have a certificate of exemption from this date, their dog will be illegal which means that owners could get a criminal record, their dog could be seized, put to sleep and they could face an unlimited fine.”

Owners of XL bullies in England and Wales can apply for exemption on the UK Government website. There is a fee of £92.40 per dog and a requirement to have third party public liability insurance for banned breeds. This type of insurance is available via the Dogs Trust companion club and information is on its website.

Dogs aged less than one year by January 31 must also be neutered by December 31, 2024 and dogs older than one must be neutered by June 30, 2024.

The RSPCA is urging owners to arrange for their dog to be neutered as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline and risking the ability to legally keep their dog. Blue Cross, Battersea and the RSPCA have partnered on a neutering scheme to help eligible owners.

For more information and to apply for exemption, go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs

What do you have to do for the XL bully exemption process?

The dog must be neutered (the dates at which your dog needs to be neutered is dependent on their age and more information can be found on the UK Government website)

The dog must be microchipped

Third party insurance must be obtained

A certificate of exemption is issued

The dog must be kept at the same address as the registered keeper except for up to 30 days in 12 months

Owners must notify the agency of any change of address

Owners must notify the agency of the death or export of the dog

The dog must be muzzled and on a lead when in a public place

The dog must be kept in sufficiently secure conditions to prevent escape