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Dogs: Important information for XL Bully owners

23rd November 2023

Sanctuary

An XL bully dog on the grass

Sanctuary residents in England who own an XL Bully dog need to apply for a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ to legally keep your pet beyond 31 January 2024. 

You will find more details about how to apply for this certificate on the government website: Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs - GOV.UK.   

You will be committing a criminal offence and breaching your tenancy agreement if you do not hold a Certification of Exemption on 1 February 2024. 

From 31 December 2023 in England it will also be against the law to: 

  • sell an XL Bully dog. 

  • abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray. 

  • give away an XL Bully dog. 

  • breed from an XL Bully dog. 

  • have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle. 

If you have any further questions about the XL Bully ban, please visit the Contact Us page and select your region to call us. or email contactus@sanctuary.co.uk 

We also have a text facility for those with hearing impairments: 07800 006781, or we can connect you to a British Sign Language interpreter.