Aroma Pets

XL Bully owners warned as government's rule updates implemented today

There have been some updates and amendments to the exemptions for owning XL Bully dogs, marking a number of changes to the legislation that was only implemented in February. The update includes new information about third party public liability insurance which owners are encouraged to familiarise themselves with.

Owners no longer need to send proof of their insurance renewal each year to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, Defra can ask for proof of third party public liability insurance and owners will need to supply this proof within 5 days. If they are unable to provide this proof in time, the Certificate of Exemption that allows them to own an XL Bully despite the ban will become invalid, according to the new update.

Their insurance also still has to extend for the lifetime of their dog. In February, the government made it a criminal offence to own, sell, abandon, give away or breed XL Bully dogs. Additionally, it was also made illegal to have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle. These new laws left owners across the country furious but having a valid Certificate of Exemption allowed them to keep their animals.

Applications for Certificates of Exemption have closed and now the only way to obtain one if by contacting your local police force and can only be authorised by a court order. Owners with Certificates of Exemption must adhere to a variety of rules and regulations for the entirety of their dog's life. This includes having third party public liability insurance for their dog, keeping the dog muzzled and on a lead in public, with the lead being held by someone aged 16 or older.

XL Bully owners can also be stopped and questioned by police constables or authorised local authority officers. In this situation, if requested, the owners must provide access to the dog and their microchip, third party liability insurance information and their Certificate of Exemption.