We appreciate that this is a worrying time for owners of XL Bully type dogs and that our customers may be concerned about how the upcoming ban may impact upon their tenancy agreement. Please be reassured, we do not wish to evict anyone for owning an XL Bully, nor do we want our customers to feel that they need to euthanise their dog to keep living in their home.
As a responsible housing provider, we have a duty of care to all our customers and their visitors, and to our colleagues when they’re visiting homes to carry out repairs. We are obliged to follow the government guidelines in relation to the ban and ensure that our customers who own XL Bully type dogs follow the procedures to ensure that they are keeping their pet legally and safely.
What are your obligations under your tenancy agreement?
We encourage safe and responsible pet ownership; balancing the positive impact pets can have, while ensuring they don’t negatively affect others or cause a nuisance.
However, we don’t allow customers to own dogs outlined in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, unless they abide by the government guidelines outlined below. Customers who don’t follow the guidelines are in breach of their tenancy agreement.
You can find more information in your tenancy agreement, or by reviewing our Animal Ownership Policy.
Our stance on new pet permission requests for XL Bully type dogs
We will not consider or approve any ‘Pet Permission Request’ forms from customers to take in XL Bully type dogs from 31 December 2023.
Any applications received before 31 December 2023 will need to follow the process below:
- Send an email to tenancymanagementtriage@orbit.org.uk who will send you the forms you will need to complete.
- Complete and return the Pet Permission Request form.
- Provide us with a copy of their ‘Certificate of Exemption’ to prove you are legally allowed to keep the dog. This will be kept on file.
- Complete and return the Dog Behaviour contract form to demonstrate your commitment to ensuring that your dog will not pose any safety risks within your community.
Our stance on existing owners of XL Bully type dogs
Customers who already own an XL Bully type dog will need to follow the process below to get permission to keep the dog:
- Send an email to tenancymanagementtriage@orbit.org.uk who will send you the forms you will need to complete.
- Complete and return the Pet Permission Request form.
- Provide us with a copy of their ‘Certificate of Exemption’ to prove you are legally allowed to keep the dog. This will be kept on file.
- Complete and return the Dog Behaviour contract form to demonstrate your commitment to ensuring that your dog will not pose any safety risks within your community.
We are under no obligation to approve requests to keep XL Bully type dogs. We’ll review applications on a case-by-case basis. Customers with a history of serious anti-social behaviour will not receive permission to keep XL Bully type dogs.
Information about the new guidelines for XL Bully type dogs
Owners of XL Bully type dogs should visit the UK Government website for advice and guidance. We have provided key information below.
What is an XL Bully type dog?
The American Bully XL is the largest dog of its type. It is not a breed recognised by the UK Kennel Club as it is a cross breed. A suspected XL Bully breed type does not need to fit the physical description perfectly. We recommend that you visit the Government’s official guidance which describes the characteristics for the banned breed.
What does the ban mean for owners?
From 31 December 2023 the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 will be amended, and it will be a criminal offence to:
- Breed or breed from the dog
- Sell or exchange the dog
- Give the dog away
- Allow the dog to be in a public place without being muzzled and kept on a lead
- Abandon the dog or allow it to stray.
The muzzle must be sufficient to prevent the dog from biting a person. The lead must be held securely by a person at least 16 years old.
What do owners need to do?
It is important that owners of XL Bully type dogs take immediate action before the change in the law.
Owners have until 31st January 2024 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to be registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs, at a cost of £92.40 per application. You can find the application form for exemption certificates here.
As part of the process to exempt your dog, you will need third-party liability insurance to cover you if your dog injures another person. This is available at a small cost through Dogs Trust.
Your dog must be microchipped (which is already a legal requirement).
Your dog needs to be neutered. If your XL Bully puppy is less than a year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If your dog is older than a year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 30 June 2024.
After the transition period, owners without a Certificate of Exemption could receive a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully type dog. Once your dog has been exempted you must stick to the conditions, otherwise you could be committing a criminal offence and your dog could be seized.
You must 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 five days of being asked.
Further information and advice for owners of XL Bully type dogs
We recommend that you start to muzzle and lead train your XL Bully dog as soon as possible. The Blue Cross website contains muzzle training advice. If you are concerned about your dog's behaviour, we would encourage you to speak to your vet who can refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist.
If you decide not to keep your XL Bully, you may be able to claim compensation from the Government by completing this claim form.
What can you do if you suspect that a dog is dangerous or on the banned list
Dangerous dogs are dealt with by the police under the Dangerous Dogs Act. In an emergency, contact the police directly on 999. Banned or stolen dogs should be reported directly to the police on 101.
If you believe an Orbit customer has a dangerous or banned dog, please contact us on 0800 678 1221 to advise us of your concerns after you have informed the police. We will then work with the police to establish if the animal is licensed and exempt or if action needs to be taken.
