Senior Ministers are being briefed this morning on plans to ban XL Bully dogs.
From next Tuesday, October the 1st, it will be illegal to import, breed, sell or re-home the breed.
From next February, it will be against the law to own an XL Bully without an exemption from a local authority.
People will be able to apply for the exemption if the dog is microchipped, neutered and licensed.
It is understood current owners of XL Bully dogs will be subject to strict new rules from next February, with special certificates needed to ensure the dogs are neutered and microchipped.
The move comes after a number of attacks on people involving the breed.
Waterford Council is continuing preparations for the ban of XL bully dogs.
Speaking at the most recent Metropolitan Meeting of Waterford Council, Council Senior Executive Officer Dawn Wallace outlined the preparations being made locally.
"Dog wardens are undergoing training, however, we haven't had confirmation from the department yet, so we're unable to press a button if you like. We're doing what we can administratively to prepare," she said.
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