Dog owners in County Durham and Darlington have been issued a warning ahead of a deadline at the start of next month.

A reminder has gone out to owners of XL Bully breed type dogs to make sure they are ready for the new ban which comes into force on February 1.

Community safety staff at Darlington Borough Council have been working closely with Durham Police to help raise awareness of the ban, announced by the government in October, so owners are aware of what they need to do.

New restrictions on the XL Bully dogs are already in force making it a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.

It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.

Owners are now being urged to apply to register their current XL Bully dogs ahead of a ban on ownership which comes into force on February 1.

Owning an unregistered dog after this date will be a criminal offence, with owners facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine.

Any owners who do not want to keep their dogs after this date should take them to a vet to have them put to sleep. Compensation can be claimed by completing a form.

If owners are unsure whether their dog could be classed as an XL Bully, they should check their dog carefully against guidance and photo examples of XL Bully dogs to help them decide.

An American Bully must be a minimum height before it is classed as XL.

Adult male from 20 inches (51 cm) at the withers and adult female from 19 inches (48cm) at the withers. (Withers are found between a dog's shoulder blades and at the back of the neck).

To register an XL Bully, owners must hold public liability insurance for their dog, have had their dog microchipped, and pay the application fee.

Owners will also be required to provide proof that their dog has been neutered. This will be by June 30, 2024, for most dogs, and by the end of 2024 for dogs under one year old on January 31, 2024.

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Full details of how to check if your dog is an XLL Bully, what you need to do to keep an XL Bully dog, giving up a dog and claiming compensation, can be found on the government website here. 

Councillor Amanda Riley, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “There has been a well-publicised and staggered approach to introduce this ban and it is expected that all XL Bully owners will comply with the law. As the deadline approaches, I would urge owners to register their dogs or risk prosecution.

“Whilst this ban may be upsetting for owners, further support and advice can be obtained from animal welfare organisations such as Blue Cross and Dogs Trust.”

David Egglestone, Dog Support Unit Sergeant at Durham Police, added: “If you have, or think you have an XL bully, we urge you to register your dog under the exemption scheme before the deadline, or you may be subject to prosecution and seizure.

“Please submit your application before the deadline of Wednesday, January 31, 2024.”