The Bully Boardroom
- All types welcome-
the purpose of this project is to provide sign posting and pool resources to help the veterinary community best support their clients and patients who are impacted by the expansion of the current breed specific Legislation.
This is a community, not for profit project.
Join The Bullyboard Room Facebook Group
Legal Basics
'XL Bully types' will be added to the list of types in section 1 of the current DDA legislation.
The legal definition of an 'XL Bully Type' can be found here (updated 14/11/23)
From 31 December 2023 it will be against the law to sell, abandon, give away, breed from or have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle
From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for your dog.
Requirements for
section 1 dogs (banned breeds)
All dogs must be registered with Defra (no furtHer information aVAILABLE YET)
DOG MUST BE ON LEAD (NO DEFINED LENGTH) AND MUZZLED IN ALL PUBLIC SPACES INCLUDING THE OWNER'S CAR.
Dog must be kept in a secure, escape proof area
dOG MUST BE MICROCHIPPED
dOG MUST HAVE LIABILITY INSURACE.
dOG MUST BE NEUTERED (SEE DEADLINES BELOW)
registered keepers must be 16 years or older. transfer of ownership is complicated and usually is dealt with in court.
important information for vet staff
Vets will not be expected to report XL Bully dogs and their owners to the police.
Vets will need to complete a form for owners of exempt dogs to confirm when they were / are neutered.
Vets should:
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contact RCVS and the Veterinary Defence Society for queries about professional obligations for euthanasia
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tell owners about the ban on XL Bully dogs that starts on 31 December 2023 and what they need to do to either keep or give up a dog
Vets may be asked by XL Bully owners to euthanise their dog when the compensation scheme opens. Owners can claim up to £200 per dog. Rescue centres may claim £100. Defra will provide more information on how to apply for compensation soon.
Neutering
dogs less than one year old on 31 January 2024, must be neutered by 31 December 2024.
dogs older than one year old on 31 January 2024, must be neutered by 30 June 2024.
Once your XL Bully dog has been neutered you should ask your vet to fill in the proof of neutering form and return to it Defra.
If your dog has already been neutered, you can ask your vet to fill in the proof of neutering form and return to Defra.
Support Available
Exemption Fee Funding
We have received fantastic support from donors, and we can now offer funding to those who cannot afford their exemption fee.
client should email: bullyboardroom@gmail.com
joint Neutering Fund
Blue Cross, Battersea and RSPCA have developed a joint scheme to support responsible owners, with well cared for dogs, for whom the cost of neutering is prohibitive. We hope this will help avoid situations where owners might otherwise choose euthanasia.
Owners will need to demonstrate that they have gone through the other stages of the exemption process.
The scheme will be managed through the Blue Cross’s Veterinary Care Fund and will launch on 5 February 2024.
TBC
Useful infographics
