A TOTAL of 38 certificates of exemption for XL Bully dogs have been issued in Limerick since it became illegal to own the controversial breed earlier this year.
This public safety measure came after a number of vicious attacks by XL Bullys in recent times. In June last year, 23-year-old Limerick woman Nicole O’Donnell Morey died after being attacked by her own dogs, one of which was an XL bully.
This new legislation in Ireland makes it illegal to breed, sell, or import XL Bully dogs. Animal welfare charities and shelters with existing XL Bully dogs already in their facilities on October 1 last were permitted to re-home or export these dogs before February 1, 2025.
Since this date, it is now unlawful to own an XL Bully dog unless the owner has obtained a certificate of exemption issued by the local authority in which the dog resides.
Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin quizzed the local authority this Wednesday (April 2) on the number of bullies destroyed or granted exemptions in Limerick since February 1.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Newcastle West Municipal District, he also wanted to know the reason for exemptions and steps put in place to ensure that all XL Bully dogs are certified.
Cllr Galvin was informed that two XL Bully dogs have been euthanised in Limerick and a further 38 received exemption certs since the new law came into effect.
“It is the responsibility of each dog owner to apply for a certificate of exemption for their XL Bully dogs. In advance of the ban coming into force, the Council contacted all owners that had purchased a dog licence in Limerick that noted the breed as an XL Bully, to remind them of the requirement for an exemption,” the Council explained.
