Boarding XL Bullies

From 31 December 2023, it will be illegal to rehome, sell or transfer ownership of XL Bully dogs 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 dog in England and Wales without a Certificate of Exemption. To keep an XL Bully dog after this date it must be: microchipped, neutered, kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public, kept in a secure place so it cannot escape. The owner must also be over 16 years old, 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 and take out third party public liability insurance against the dog injuring other people.

The public liability insurance held by the owner must cover the policyholder against death or bodily injury inflicted by the exempted dog on any other person and be suitable for a prohibited breed as defined under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which are currently Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully. 

Boarding a dog listed on the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

It is the responsibility of the owner of these types of dogs to comply with the government guidance and regulations. After the 1st February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless the dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption. 

If we suspect a particular dog is in fact a dog listed under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 we may ask for proof of the dogs breed. This could be the dog's registration documents or confirmation from a vet etc. If proof cannot be provided and we are still unsure then we may decline to board the dog or treat it as if it were a dog listed under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

A dog listed under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (or any subsequent amending legislation) should either have a Certificate of Exemption or it should no longer exist. 

Even with a Certificate of Exemption the dog must be:

• neutered

• microchipped

• kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public

• kept in a secure place so it cannot escape

And the owner must:

• take out insurance against the dog injuring other people

• be aged over 16

• show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days

• let the Index of Exempt Dogs know if they change address, or the dog dies

The Certificate of Exemption means that the owner is able to keep the dog and it will be listed on the Index of Exempt Dogs. They must still comply with the above and it is still listed under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (or any subsequent amending legislation) and therefore must be treated as such.