Over 30 XL Bullies licensed in Tipperary last year according to new figures

Tipperary County Council have revealed that more than 30 XL Bullies were licensed in the county last year

At a recent sitting of the Tipperary/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District meeting a query was brought up regarding how dog licenses work in the county.

Cllr Liam Browne enquired whether dog licenses were the responsibility of the local or national authorities during the recent meeting in Tipperary Town on January 27. He also asked the council to clarify if dog breeds were recorded using data compiled from the dog licenses and specifically data regarding restricted dog breeds.

Fergal Condon, who is administrative officer of Environment and Climate action at the council, answered Cllr Browne’s queries at the meeting.

He stated that dog licenses were the local authorities responsibility and they do record statistics of breeds. “There were 31 or 32 XL bullies licensed in Tipperary last year” said Condon. Local authorities are responsible for the control of dogs, they appoint dog wardens, impose fines and seize dogs if necessary.

Cllr Browne also suggested during the meeting that a leaflet be made for dog owners with information on restricted breeds included in it, with the intention to inform people about the breeds.

XL BULLY BAN

Regulations introduced on October 1 2024 prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs. XL Bully owners had until February 1 2025 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption for their pets. XL Bully owners could face a fine of up to €2,500, or imprisonment of a term of up to 3 months, or both as the ban comes into full effect. The government has also warned that owners could also have their XL Bully seized or euthanised if they do not apply for the exemption certificate.

The ban on XL bullies was introduced as a public safety measure after many XL bully dogs were involved in a number of serious accidents with humans over the past few years. After the ban was introduced Tipperary South Independent TD Mattie McGrath was critical of the government’s decision to introduce this ban on the breed, calling it a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ by the government.

Animal charities have also been critical about the XL bully ban. Six animal welfare charities have this month gone to the high court to stop a ban being imposed on them rehoming or exporting XL bullies in their care, starting on February 1.

These charities and shelters have claimed that the ban will not solve the problem and will just lead to more abandonment of the breed.