A DEBATE on new laws which would require owners of certain breeds of dangerous dog to register their pet and keep it muzzled in public has been delayed until next month.
The Constables’ Committee has lodged amendments to the Dogs (Jersey) Act to introduce controls on dogs considered to be dangerous, including the XL Bully breed made illegal in the UK in 2023. These include bans on breeding and selling the animals.
The proposals were due to be debated during this week’s States sitting, but were pushed back to November to allow for “small amendments” to be made, according to Constable’s Committee chair Mike Jackson.
The proposed registration scheme will require the States vet to maintain a register of dangerous dogs, with the measures applicable to breeds deemed to fit the characteristics and measurements of an XL Bully. These include the American Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog, cane corso and presa
canario. Owners would commit an offence if they failed to register their dangerous dogs.
Speaking to the JEP after the conclusion of this week’s States sitting, Mr Jackson said: “There were a couple of concerns raised by Members late on Tuesday, and as a result the decision was taken to make some small amendments to the proposition and then bring it back to the Assembly in November.”
Jersey’s law was last amended in February 2024, with the introduction of requirements that owners wishing to travel out of Jersey with their XL Bully dog must apply for an export licence, as well as seeking written confirmation that their dog can enter all the countries they are travelling to or through.
