Lincolnshire Police is sharing government advice to dog owners on the changes to the banned dog laws, which will include XL Bully type dogs from 1st February 2024.
To help current owners adapt to the new laws, these changes have come into force in two stages. Since 31st December 2023, it is now against the law in England and Wales to:
- sell an XL Bully dog
- abandon an XL Bully dog
- give away an XL Bully dog
- breed from an XL Bully dog
- have an XL Bully dog in public without a lead and muzzle (dogs must also be muzzled if they are travelling in a vehicle)
From 1st February 2024, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully type dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a Certificate of Exemption.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published official guidance and we are urging dog owners to visit the government’s webpage and act within the given time frame: Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Those who own an XL Bully or a dog with XL Bully characteristics can apply for a Certificate of Exemption online, by email or post. Before applying, you must pay an application fee and have third party public liability insurance for banned breeds of dogs. This can be provided by the Dogs Trust and the policy must be renewed annually. It is currently £25 a year.
If applying for an exemption via post or email, you will have to ensure the application is with DEFRA by 15th January 2024. If applying online, owners have until 12:00 pm on 31st January 2024.
The application form and more information is available here: Apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Acting Chief Inspector Carrie Diamond says “Lincolnshire Police, have been working closely with partners ahead of the new laws to promote responsible ownership and will be issuing guidance and reminders to owners that their dogs will need to be registered by the 31st of January 2024. As a force we understand that there are concerns in relation to the new laws and we want responsible owners to be able to keep their dogs. We are therefore encouraging owners to read and understand the DEFRA guidance and take the necessary steps to stay within the law to prevent their dog being seized”.
“If you believe your dog has the defined characteristic set out by the government, or you are aware your dog is an XL Bully, we are requesting that you apply for an exemption certificate as soon as possible. Please look at the following guidance: Check if a dog is an XL Bully – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you need any further information, please refer to the government website: Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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