Over the past weekend, an XL bully dog was euthanised after launching an attack against its owner. The incident, which unfolded on Ballyshannon Road in North Dublin, culminated in the dog being restrained and subsequently handed over to the Dublin City Council’s dog warden.
The owner sustained multiple injuries due to the canine assault. This occurrence is the latest in a series of dog-related incidents, signifying the urgent need for stricter regulations about XL bully dogs, which are due to commence next month. Starting from 1st October, the import, breeding, sale, and rehoming of XL bully dog breed will face prohibition.
Moreover, beginning 1st February next year, owning an XL bully will necessitate a Certificate of Exemption. This certification will only be provided to those dogs that are adequately licensed, neutered, and microchipped.
Earlier this year, multiple distressing incidents involving the breed have been reported. In August, a one-year-old girl was gravely wounded after being assaulted by an XL bully in Lixnaw village, County Kerry. The toddler received medical treatment for her injuries at Cork University Hospital. During June, 23-year-old Nicole Morey from Limerick city lost her life in an unfortunate incident involving her own dogs, amongst which was an XL bully dog.
Furthermore, a 10-year-old boy, Alejandro Mizsan, from County Wexford sustained severe facial damage from another attack in 2022. Consequently, Heather Humphreys, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, announced an initiative to ban the controversial breed during July.
Acknowledging the controversy surrounding the decision, Humphreys stated, “I understand that many people will be in disagreement with this choice. As a dog owner, I empathise with the fondness owners have for their dogs.” However, she emphasised the necessity of prioritising human life over those of dogs, which was the primary motivation for her decision.