Apply for a Certificate of Exemption for an XL Bully in the Dublin City Council Area
Owners who wish to keep their XL Bully type dog must apply to their Local Authority for a Certificate of Exemption. Find out more.
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs. Owners who wish to keep their XL Bully type dog must apply to their Local Authority for a Certificate of Exemption before 1 February 2025. This will allow them to keep their dog at a particular premises until the end of its natural life.
This certificate will be unique to each dog and its owner, specifying details of the dog’s licence, microchip, neutering, age and description. It will also feature the owner’s details.
Owners resident in the Dublin City Council area can download the required forms and accompanying guidelines below.
If you do not live in the Dublin City Council administrative area, we will not be able to assist with your application. You will need to contact your own Local Authority instead.
Contact the Animal Welfare Unit
If you have any queries about applying for an exemption, please contact the Animal Welfare Unit using the details below. Our phone line is open 9am-5pm on weekdays and from 11am-3pm on weekends.