Dangerous Dogs
Banned Dog Breeds
The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983, as amended by the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, bans certain types of dogs as listed below:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
It is an offence to own, breed from, give away, sell, exchange, make a gift of or advertise for sale a banned dog. Councils are responsible for enforcing the Dogs Order.
It is possible to obtain an Exemption Certificate if certain conditions are met. An owner will be responsible for all costs and further information is available from the Neighbourhood Environment Team on 0300 013 3333 extension 40408.
Advice for XL Bully Owners
The Dangerous Dogs (designated type) Order (NI) 2024 came into force 5 July 2024. From this date, all XL Bully dogs must be on a lead and muzzle in public and dogs cannot be bred, gifted, sold, exchanged, abandoned or allowed to stray. The dog must be kept in secure conditions that will stop it from escaping.
It is currently still legal to own an XL Bully.
From 1 January 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without an Exemption Certificate.
The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 was made on the 19 July 2024 and will come into operation on 9 August 2024.
For full details on how to apply for an Exemption Certificate, the steps you must take, and what you can do if you no longer wish to keep your XL Bully type dog, please visit XL Bully Dogs - Ards and North Down Borough Council
After 31 December 2024 it will be against the law to keep an XL Bully dog without a Certificate of Exemption and new exemptions can only be authorised by a court order. If you are found in possession of an XL Bully dog without a Certification of Exemption, your dog could be seized, and the law may subject you to up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine up to £5000.
Further details on the compensation and exemption schemes can be found at XL Bully dogs | nidirect
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