THE level of threat presented by XL Bully-type dogs means it is entirely appropriate that their ownership should be covered by the strictest possible regulations in both the north and south of Ireland.
Public concern over the serious risks associated with the breed was growing steadily in recent years, even before the appalling case of 23-year-old Nicole Morey who was mauled to death in Ballyneety, Co Limerick, three months ago.
Ms Morey was an experienced dog owner, and her posts on social media indicated that she was devoted to her pets, describing herself as a “dogmom”, but she was helpless when her XL Bully turned on her in her family home.
She was treated by emergency paramedics, but tragically died at the scene, with Garda officers later confirming that the XL Bully had been put down and three other dogs found in the house seized.
It is clear that Alejandro Mizsan, who was only nine when he was attacked by an XL Bully while playing in a green area near his home in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, in 2022, was very fortunate to avoid a similar fate.
He suffered horrific injuries to his face, body and legs, including a tear opening from ear to ear necessitating the removal of his lower lip, has subsequently experienced depression and will need further long-term treatment.
A man and a woman received two-year jail sentences earlier this year on charges linked to the outrage after a court was told that the XL Bully dog responsible, which again was subsequently destroyed, was unregistered, not micro chipped, unlicenced and had been involved in previous incidents.
The Irish cabinet was briefed yesterday on binding new restrictions which mean that from next Tuesday it will be against the law to import, breed, sell or rehome an XL Bully.
From next February, it will be illegal to own the dogs without a certification of exemption, which will be available free of charge from district authorities if they are licensed, microchipped and neutered.
These initiatives are entirely justified and will bring the south largely in line with legislation which was introduced in Northern Ireland in July and was already in place in England, Wales and Scotland for some time.
While some dog owners in the Republic have suggested that the measures go too far, and should be paused for further consideration, there will be a strong sense that any delays would present unacceptable dangers to the general public.
The catalogue of terrifying episodes involving XL Bullies which have been documented over recent years means that the authorities have a firm duty to intervene.
