A High Court judge has granted an injunction against a new regulation that would have allowed agents for the Minister for Rural Development to seize or euthanise XL bully dogs in the care of animal welfare organisations. The injunction is in place until February 27, when a full hearing will take place on the broader aspects of the Control of Dogs 2024 regulations relating to the XL bully breed. A ban on owning XL bullys without an exemption certificate also comes into force at the weekend.

The case was brought on behalf of six animal welfare charities who were concerned about public safety and the lack of a review procedure in the regulations for dogs misidentified as XL bullys and then put down. The judge acknowledged recent dog attacks but also noted the possibility of error in identifying the breed of the dog. He granted the injunction, stating that there was “something illogical” about the legislation not providing a review mechanism before euthanising a dog.

The ban on owning XL bully dogs without an exemption certificate comes into force this weekend, with potential criminal penalties for non-compliance. The judge emphasized the importance of keeping the dogs alive until the case is fully determined, as a wrong decision could result in the death of a dog that should not be euthanised. The judge granted the injunction for the plaintiffs, recognizing the well-motivated intentions on both sides of the argument.