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XL Bully Dogs

What you need to know if you have, or are thinking of owning, an XL Bully Dog

Following a rise in dog attacks and fatalities involving XL Bully type dogs over the last year, the Scottish Government (opens new window) has added the type to the banned dog breeds UK list, under the Dangerous Dog Act. If you are not sure if a dog in your care is an XL Bully, use the guide to check if a dog is an XL Bully (opens new window). This ban will come into effect on 31 July 2024.

From 23 February 2024, it is now an offence to: 

  • have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle 
  • breed or breed from an XL Bully dog 
  • sell an XL Bully dog 
  • abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray 
  • give away an XL Bully dog.

West Lothian Council appreciate that this is a worrying time for owners of XL Bully type dogs and that our tenants may be concerned about how the ban will impact upon their tenancy agreement. Please be reassured that we do not want to evict anyone owning an XL Bully, nor do we want our tenants to feel that they need to euthanise their dogs to keep living in their home.

However, as a Landlord we do have a duty of care to all our customers and their visitors, and to our colleagues when they're visiting your tenancies. We are obliged to follow the government guidelines in relation to the ban and ensure that our tenants who already have permission for their XL Bully type dogs follow the procedures to ensure that they are keeping their pet legally and safely.

We encourage safe and responsible pet ownership, balancing the positive impact pets can have, while ensuring they don't have a negative affect on others of cause a nuisance.

We don't allow tenants to own any dogs outlined in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which include:

  • Pitbull Terrier
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasilerio
  • American XL bully (added 2023)

West Lothian Council's Policy on XL Bully Type Dogs

We will not consider or approve any 'Pet Permission Request' applications from tenants to have an XL Bully type dog from 31 July 2024.

If you already have permission from West Lothian Council for your XL Bully Type Dog please arrange to Contact your housing officer online form or call 01506 28000 to make arrangements with your Housing Officer to provide copies of the Certificate of Exemption, which proves you are legally allowed to keep the dog. Also your dog's Insurance Details and Microchip Documentation.

You will be required to complete a Dog Behaviour contract form to demonstrate your commitment to ensuring that your dog does not pose any safety risks within your community.

We will review applications on a case by case basis and tenants with a history of serious anti-social behaviour will have their permissions revoked. Please be aware that we are under no obligation to continue with any previously approved pet permission.