If you are the owner of an XL Bully dog, you will need to apply for a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ to legally keep your pet beyond 31st January 2024 due to new legislation introduced by the UK Government.
You will be committing a criminal offence and breaching your tenancy agreement if you do not hold a Certificate of Exemption on 1st February 2024.
To get a Certificate of Exemption you must do the following things:
- Get third party public liability insurance cover for your dog
- Neuter your dog permanently if it is not already neutered. Read Neutering an XL Bully for when you must have your dog neutered. A vet must confirm if your dog is already neutered.
- Pay the £92.40 fee for each dog you want to keep.
- Apply for the Certificate of Exemption here
To keep an XL Bully dog with a Certificate of Exemption it must be:
- Microchipped
- Kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public
- Kept in a secure place so it cannot escape
- Neutered
As the owner you must also:
- Be over 16 years old
- Take out third party public liability insurance against your dog injuring other people
- Be able to show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days.
The third party public liability insurance cover must start no later than 1 February 2024. This can be provided by Dogs Trust Membership. The policy must renew annually for the life of the dog.
If you use a different insurance provider, you must check the policy:
- covers the policyholder for death or bodily injury to any person caused by the exempted dog
- is suitable for a prohibited breed as defined under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
You must provide the start date of your insurance policy when you apply for a Certificate of Exemption. Your insurance provider can tell you the start date.
From 31st December 2023 it will also be against the law to:
- sell an XL Bully dog
- abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
- give away an XL Bully dog
- breed from an XL Bully dog
- Have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle
You can find out more and check if your dog fits the definition of an XL Bully dog on the Government website here.
Coastline customers who have an XL Bully or who are intending to get one (before the cut off date) will be required to provide us with all the legal documentation to evidence ownership and compliance with this new legislation. This can be emailed to our Tenancy Team - tenancy@coastlinehousing.co.uk
If you have any additional questions, please contact our Tenancy Team through any of the usual channels.