Form

Apply for a Certificate of Exemption by email or post to keep an XL Bully dog

Dog owners can use the ACE01 form to apply for a Certificate of Exemption for up to 30 XL bully dogs by email or post.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 14 November 2023
• Last updated: 31 December 2023 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on 16 January 2024

The closing date for Defra to receive email and postal applications was 15 January 2024. Dog owners can apply online until 31 January 2024.

Documents

[Withdrawn] Apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog (email and post version)

Ref: ACE01

PDF, 783 KB, 5 pages

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Details

On 31 December 2023 it became an offence to:

• sell an XL Bully dog
• abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
• give away an XL Bully dog
• breed from an XL Bully dog
• have an XL Bully dog in public without a lead and muzzle

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless the dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.

Find out more about how to prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs.

Before you apply

Before you apply for a Certificate of Exemption by email or post, you must:

• pay the £92.40 fee for each dog you want to apply for – you’ll need your 10 digit payment reference number
• have third party liability insurance for banned breeds of dogs – you’ll need to know the start date of your insurance

If your dog is microchipped, you’ll need to provide the microchip number. To find the microchip number, you should check the dog’s vaccination record or ask a vet. Microchip numbers usually have 15 digits.

Email your form to dogsindex@defra.gov.uk or post it to:

Dogs Index
PO Box 68250
London
SW1P 9XG

You must make sure Defra receives your application by 15 January 2024 when you apply by email or post.

Other ways to apply

Dog owners can also apply online for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog.

Get help

For help with this form, email: dogsindex@defra.gov.uk.

Published 14 November 2023
Last updated 31 December 2023 + show all updates

1. 31 December 2023

   Added form ACER1 for rehoming organisations to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.

2. 14 November 2023

   First published.