An animal protection organisation has advocated for “amnesty” for XL bully dogs instead of the breed’s impending ban, which is scheduled to take effect next month, reports RTE.
Hundreds of protestors and their dogs flocked to Stephen’s Green in Dublin to voice their opposition to the impending ban.
After many dog attacks, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys presented the law in July.
The legislation, which calls for a gradual ban on the breed, will go into force on October 1st.
It will be unlawful to import, sell, rehome, or breed XL bully dogs during the first phase, reports RTE.
The second phase will prohibit the ownership of XL bully dogs unless the owner possesses a certificate of exemption, and it will go into effect on February 1, 2025.
Owners who can demonstrate that their dog is spayed, microchipped, and in possession of a licence will be the only ones granted the certificates. A punishment of up to €2,500, three months in jail, or both a fine and imprisonment may be imposed for not having a certificate.
If a certificate is not obtained by February 1, 2025, the dog may be taken into custody and put down, reports RTE.
Speaking at the function, Working Animal Guardians Rescue co-founder Brenda Fitzpatrick stated that the prohibition was not the solution to the problem.
“Banning one kind of dog leads to the hybrid breeding of other kinds of dogs. It’s not dealing with the real issues we have in this country with animal welfare and public responsibility, and the enforcement of the existing rules,” reports RTE.
“We believe that XL bully dogs should be neutered, spayed, and that there should be a ban on the breeding. But what we’re advocating for is that no dog is banned in this country,” Ms Fitzpatrick said, reports RTE.
“We believe that XL bully dogs should be neutered, spayed, and that there should be a ban on the breeding. But what we’re advocating for is that no dog is banned in this country. Instead, the existing dogs, who are now going to be dumped into dog pounds, dumped on the roads, that they are allowed to be given an amnesty, so that they can be rehomed responsibly and effectively,” she said, reports RTE.
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