Tynwald Backs XL Bully Import Ban

The XL Bully has been added to a list of dogs that cannot be imported to the Isle of Man.

Tynwald voted to amend the Wild Animals Act 1980 on Tuesday, in response to the UK Government’s recent decision to make it illegal to own the XL Bully breed in England or Wales from 1 February, unless the owner has successfully applied for it to be registered, and keeps their dog muzzled in public.

The other dogs banned from importation to the Isle of Man are Pit Bull Terrier types, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero.

Clare Barber, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘It has been important to move quickly, in order to close a potential loophole for additional XL Bullies to be introduced to the Isle of Man, and I’d like to thank officers and Tynwald members for their support on the matter.’

‘XL Bullies already on the Island are not affected by this change, although we would always impress upon owners the importance of behaviour training for dogs.’

The XL Bully importation ban will come into force at 12.01am on Wednesday.