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Charities offer financial support for XL bully neutering
The scheme will support owners that are finding the cost of neutering a barrier to exemption.
New rules for XL bullies begin 31 January.

A group of charities have developed a scheme to support XL bully owners with meeting neutering requirements for exemption.

Blue Cross, Battersea and RSPCA have signed a joint letter offering a maximum of £250 towards the neutering costs of XL bully dogs for owners in need.

The scheme is intended to support responsible owners, who have already completed the other stages of the exemption process, that are finding the cost of neutering a barrier to exemption.

It will be managed through the Blue Cross’ Veterinary Care Fund, launching on 5 February 2024. Until then, the RSPCA are providing vouchers for those in urgent need.

Practices are asked to apply for the fund online on behalf of their clients. The charities will then pay an amount, based on the dog’s gender and the neutering procedure, directly to the veterinary practice.

XL bully owners are able to apply for exemption for their dog before it has been neutered, however they must provide evidence that it has been neutered afterwards. Dogs which are older than one year old on the 31 January 2024 must be neutered by 30 June 2024, while dogs under one year old should be neutered by 31 December 2024.

On 1 February 2024, it will become a criminal offence to own an XL bully type dog without a Certificate of Exemption. Following legislation which came into force on 31 December 2023, it is illegal to sell or rehome an XL bully, meaning owners must now either obtain a Certificate of Exemption for their dog or have it euthanised.

The charities hope that this financial support will enable more dog owners to meet the exemption requirements, reducing the likelihood that XL bully owners will opt for euthanasia.

In the letter, the charities write: “While we understand the pressure that practices are under at the moment, we would be grateful if you could support owners in need by meeting the requirements of the exemption process and help keep pets and their people together.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.