How to reclaim seized horses, dogs, and the XL Bully exemption from the council
Animal owners across Dublin city should learn the required steps to reclaim seized horses and dogs, and successfully apply for the XL Bully exemption from Dublin City Council.
While reclaiming a seized animal may sound like a daunting task, there are clear guidelines for owners who have had their animals seized by the dog warden or Control of Horses Service on how they should proceed. Similarly, those who wish to keep their XL Bully type dog must apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
While there is a proud history of horse ownership in Dublin that connects the capital back to a pre-automobile era, it’s also important the council address irresponsible horse ownership in the city. This includes neglect and cruelty suffered by horses, damage to property, danger to public safety, and general nuisance caused by horses in public places.
Horses seized for offences under the Control of Horses Act or Dublin City Council ’s Control of Horses Bye-Laws are transported to Dublin City Council’s officially designated pound. From here, a detailed description of the horse is taken and it is scanned for a microchip.
To reclaim the horse, owners must meet certain conditions, including producing a horse passport and all relevant documentation required. They must also complete an application form, complete an affidavit and sign it in front of a Commissioner for Oaths, and pay the necessary fees. The current cost of reclaiming a horse is €700 per horse, plus an additional €20 per night per horse for horses held over the statutory five-day period.
Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, a horse may be seized and impounded if it meets any of the following criteria:
The application of affidavit form can be found here: https://www.dublincity.ie/animal-welfare/reclaim-seized-horse
Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, the dog warden with Dublin City Council deals with strays, surrenders and seizures across the city. They also provide a dog shelter service where dogs collected by our wardens are held in the hope they can be reclaimed, rehabilitated and rehomed.
Dogs that are surrendered, seized or found by the team are brought to the council’s officially designated pound. Following this, the dog is scanned for a microchip and if it doesn’t have one it is inserted.
Owners whose dogs don't have an up to date microchip should contact the Animal Welfare Unit to see if their pet has been picked up by a warden. The Animal Welfare Unit's Facebook page is also regularly updated with photos of dogs that have been taken in. Dogs that are not reclaimed within five days can legally be rehomed, so it is important to contact them as soon as possible when your dog is lost
To reclaim a dog, owners must pay the necessary fees and provide proof of ownership as well as ID. The cost of reclaiming a dog will depend on how many nights it spent in the shelter. There is €30 per night fee for care and a €100 transportation fee. Owners can also face fines for breaching the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 and the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998.
All fees must be paid in advance of your dog being returned. They can be paid by card by calling 01 222 5441 or 01 222 3368.
Since October 1, 2024, there have been regulations prohibiting the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs. Since February 1, 2025, it is illegal to own an XL Bully dog without a Certificate of Exemption. This means that owners of such dogs must apply for a Certificate of Exemption from Dublin County Council which allows them to keep their dog at a particular premises until the end of its natural life.
This certificate is unique to each dog and its owner, specifying details of the dog’s licence, microchip, neutering, age and description. It also features the owner’s details. An application form must be completed along with the following documents:
Dublin City Council will then process the application and send either a Certificate of Exemption, a request for further information, or a refusal letter. The application form can be found here: https://www.dublincity.ie/animal-welfare/apply-exemption-xl-bully
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme