Tipperary Friends of Animals SPCA Offering Subsidised Neutering For Microchipped XL Bully Dogs

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Tipperary Friends of Animals SPCA is offering a subsidised neutering for owners of XL Bully dogs and XL Bully crosses as long as the dog is microchipped. The group has a network of three veterinary practices assisting the scheme –  Brittas Vets in Cashel and Thurles and Summerhill vets in Nenagh. The scheme is available for all XL Bully and Bully Crosses and the scheme is not means tested.

Local authorities report that only 235 people in Ireland have applied for a Certificate of Exemption allowing them to own an XL bully-type dog ahead of the February ban. Councils are expecting an increase in applications before the February 1st deadline. Councils provide the exemption certificate free of charge if dogs are licensed, microchipped and neutered.

The Government introduced new legislation in respect of XL Bully dogs last year in response to public safety concerns. The legislation is also intended to help quantify how many such dogs exist, where they are kept and also in limiting the numbers, stopping the importation, stopping the breeding and to make sure they are all neutered.