Banning certain dog breeds is “tokenism” and avoids addressing the real issue, according to a retired GP.

Plans to ban the XL Bully emerged shortly after one such dog attacked and killed its owner in Limerick last month.

A ban on breeding, rehoming, reselling, and importing XL Bully dogs will take effect on October 1st.

On February 1st, ownership of XL Bully dogs will require that they be neutered, microchipped, and properly certified.

On The Hard Shoulder today, Cork-based Dr Joe Moore said there was a “lot of tokenism” to the plan.

“I think the response by banning one particular breed doesn't really deal with the issue,” he said. “I classify dogs into three different categories: low risk, medium risk, and high risk.

“By risk, I mean risk of causing serious injury to people. So, in that classification, no dog is absent completely from risk.”

High-risk breeds

Dr Moore said that “any dog could injure someone,” including the ones you’d least expect.

“But obviously, the higher-risk breeds have the potential to kill people and cause serious injury, as we have seen happen,” he said.

“So, I think that the owners of these dogs, particularly the high-risk dogs, have a responsibility to comply with the current regulations, which a lot of them seem to not be doing at present.

“Other regulations primarily are around using a lead and having the dog muzzled when in public places, and I think the compliance with that is poor – hence the problem.

“If you just remove the XL Bullies from the picture, there's nothing to stop these people getting a different dog, different breed, and continuing on the same behaviour.”

Solution

Dr Moore suggested an alternative solution.

“I would approach it in the same way that we approach driving licences at present," he said. “If you want to drive a regular car, you get a regular licence.

“But if you want to drive an articulated truck, you obviously have to go through a more rigorous process and more rigorous education – I would apply the same model to dog ownership.

“I would think people who have those breeds should undergo a specific training programme and licensing programme. You're licensing the owner, not the dog.”

Dr Moore said dog wardens could be tasked with educating owners under the proposal and Gardaí tasked with its enforcement.

You can listen back here:

Main image: Riz the XL Bully during a protest against the UK Government's decision to ban the breed, 30-09-2023. Image: PA Images / Alamy