A ban on XL Bully dogs in Ireland is necessary in order to prevent attacks and deaths, Ciara Kelly has said.

From Saturday, it will be illegal to own an XL bully dog in Ireland unless the owner has a certificate of exemption, which confirms that the dog is licensed, microchipped and neutered.

XL bully dogs without a certificate may be seized and destroyed.

Since October, it has been illegal to import, breed, re-home or resell an XL bully dog.

The ban was prompted by a number of attacks by XL bully dogs in Ireland.

Earlier this year, six animal welfare charities brought proceedings to the High Court, claiming the ban is unlawful.

Photo shows: Vanessa Sleater with Shadow (American Bully, 4 months) at protest outside Stephen's Green. Photograph: Leah Future / © RollingNews.ie

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Ciara Kelly said a ban on these dogs is necessary in order to prevent further deaths.

"I am genuinely a dog-lover, I’ve been a dog owner most of my life - growing up I've always had them, I've had them as an adult," she said.

"I really genuinely love dogs and I think we still need this ban.

"No one wants to see healthy dogs being euthanised, but XL bullies, when they go rogue, they are a dangerous animal."

Ciara pointed to the deaths caused by XL bullies which have been "dreadful" for the victims' families.

"I can't see any other way around it than this," she said.

"I know the argument people say it’s not the bad dog, it’s the bad owner.

"If a bad owner owns a Jack Russell it doesn’t make much difference - whereas if a bad owner owns an XL bully it might kill you or your child and I don’t entertain the arguments against it, really."

Main image: Shane Coleman in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk

Co-presenter Shane Coleman agreed with Ciara and said he does not "trust" the dogs.

"If I see an XL bully or one of those equivalent dogs when I’m in a park or whatever, I immediately tense up," he said.

"I’m not nervous around dogs at all but I immediately tense up and think what if that dog goes rogue."

Last year, 23-year-old Nicole Morey was killed by one of her XL bullies, prompting the Government to ban the dogs.

Feature image: An Xl Bully (via Alamy) and Ciara Kelly in the Newstalk Studio.