XL Bully Ban

• Since 31/12/23, it has become illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, or abandon XL Bully dogs, or allow them to stray. All XL Bully dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.

• From 1st February 2024 all XL Bully dogs must be registered. To register an XL Bully, owners must hold active public liability insurance for their dog, have had their dog microchipped, and pay the application fee.

• Owners who no longer wish to keep their dogs and who arrange for a vet to put them down may apply for compensation towards this. Owners and their vets will need to complete a form to make a claim (VCE01).

• Owners can access the most up-to-date information on what action they need to take and when on this dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs - external link to GOV.UK website.

Neutering

• If the dog is:

less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered and evidence received by 31 December 2024
more than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered and evidence received by 30 June 2024

• If the dog is already neutered, a vet must confirm this by:

31 December 2024 for dogs less than one year old on 31 January 2024
30 June 2024 for dogs more than one year old on 31 January 2024

Owners will also be required to provide proof that their dog has been neutered. Vets and owners must fill in form VCN01 after neutering.

• Confirmation of previous neutering:

If an XL Bully dog is already neutered, Defra requires confirmation ‘through an appropriate methodology, depending on the circumstances’, prior to completing form VCN01

• Defra states that the cost of neutering, or any necessary veterinary procedures to determine whether the dog is neutered, should be covered by the owner.