XL Bully dogs are to be banned in Ireland

Breeding, importing, selling or rehoming of the breed will be outlawed from October this year.

The move to ban XL bullies comes after a spike in the number of attacks by 'dangerous' dogs, including the death of Nicole Morey in Limerick last month.

In the aftermath, Minister Heather Humphreys committed to assessing if such dangerous breeds should be allowed, with a ban set to come in from October 1st.

It's understood current owners of XL Bully's will be subject to strict new rules from next February, with special certificates needed to ensure the dogs are neutered and microchipped.

The move will bring Ireland in line with the North, and owners who break the rules could be fined, jailed for up to three months or both, if they don't have the correct documents.

Reacting to the news, Limerick Minister Niall Collins said: "This is good news. We can't have society exposed to huge danger from these dogs as we have regrettably seen far too often in recent times. The key to this ban will be enforcement and that's what Government will have to be very clear on when this ban is put in place".

Afer the death of Nicole Morey in Limerick last month, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said she would take on board the group's recommendations when it finalises them in the Autumn. 

"I have set up a stakeholder group to look at the whole issue of the control of dogs, and it is chaired by a former deputy Garda Commissioner and they are looking at a number of issues."

She added: "I have spoken to the Chairperson John Twomey and I have asked him to prioritise the issue of restricted breeds which we have in this country."

“There are 11 different restricted breeds. I have asked them would they look at that as part of their work programme as a matter of priority... I’m hoping they will be able to report back to me in the autumn regarding what further action they recommend that I should take. If they do recommend that we ban some of these restricted breeds, I’m happy to take on board their recommendations and I’m happy to ban them.”

11 dog breeds are currently restricted in Ireland - and must be muzzled and collared when in public places 

The breeds include American pit bull terrier, English and Staffordshire bull terriers, Bull mastiff, Dobermann pinscher, German shepherd (Alsatian), Rhodesian ridgeback, Rottweiler, Japanese akita, Japanese tosa and Bandog.