Latest news with #CertificateofExemption
Irish Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Nearly 50 XL Bully dogs surrendered since dangerous breed outlawed in Ireland
Nearly 50 dogs have been surrendered to local authorities since a new law outlawing the dogs came into effect. Since February 1, it has been illegal to own the dangerous dog without a 'certificate of exemption'. The decision by the last Government followed a number of high-profile attacks by the XL Bully dogs. This includes the tragic fatal attack on Nicole Morey, 23, in Limerick in June 2024. In November 2022, nine-year-old Alejandro Mizsan was savagely attacked by a 10-month-old XL Bully dog, suffering injuries to his face, body and legs. From October 2024, it became illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL Bully dog. In February, it became illegal to own an XL Bully dog unless you have a Certificate of Exemption. The certificate means a person can keep their XL Bully at their address until the end of their natural life. In response to queries from Fine Gael TD Maeve O'Connell, Rural Protection Minister Dara Calleary confirmed that 'over 1,800 applications for 'Certificates of Exemption' were received, and to date almost 1,000 have been granted'. Mr Calleary said: 'A 'Certificate of Exemption' cannot be granted for an XL Bully that has not yet been neutered or deemed medically unfit for neutering. 'As it is not advised to neuter an XL Bully type dog until it has reached full maturity, the number of 'Certificates of Exemption' granted is likely to increase each month going forward and will not be definitive until the June 2026 figures are provided by local authorities.' Minister Calleary told Deputy O'Connell that local authorities do not provide his Department with details of the number of XL Bully-type dogs seized. However, he confirmed that 48 dogs had been surrendered between the ban's effective date and the end of March. This included 11 in Dublin City Council and 10 in Limerick. Dogs were also surrendered in 16 other local authority areas including Cavan (two), Cork city (four), Donegal (two), Fingal (two), Galway city (one), Kildare (four), Longford (one), Louth (one), Mayo (one), Meath (one), Sligo (one), South Dublin (two), Tipperary (two) and Waterford (three).
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Drivers exempt from wearing a seatbelt must carry one crucial document
Drivers who are legally exempt from wearing a seatbelt usually have their applications judged on its own merits, but they should ensure they're travelling with this crucial document no matter what UK law requires most drivers and passengers to wear a seatbelt, but there are some specific circumstances where people can be legally exempt from doing so. The most significant exemption is on medical grounds — if a doctor determines that wearing a seatbelt is not suitable for you due to a medical condition, they may issue a Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing. This document may be granted by a doctor to individuals who, due to a medical condition, are unable to wear a seat belt safely, which applies to both drivers and passengers. Essentially, it covers any medical condition that would make it unsafe for the individual to wear a seat belt. Disabilities that make it difficult to access or use seat belts, or that could be aggravated by seat belt pressure, may qualify for an exemption. Simple solutions like drop links — hardware that lowers the position of the shoulder belt, preventing it from rubbing against their neck — might be considered first, but if they don't resolve the issue, an exemption could be necessary. Disabilities that affect a person's body shape or posture, making it physically impossible or unsafe to wear a standard seat belt, could be eligible for exemption. Other conditions that could necessitate a Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing include severe chest or abdominal injuries, fractured ribs, recent surgery to the chest or abdomen, or the presence of medical devices including colostomy bags or catheters that could be aggravated by seat belt use. Chronic respiratory conditions, such as severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where seat belt pressure could further restrict breathing, may also be considered. Pregnancy, while not an automatic exemption, may also be deemed as a pertinent reason for a car user to be granted a certificate — but only if their doctor determines it is medically advisable. Each case must be assessed individually by a medical practitioner, who will consider whether the risks of not wearing a seat belt outweigh the proven safety benefits, taking into account the overwhelming evidence that seatbelts save lives and reduce injuries in road accidents. Each case is judged on its own merits and there are no conditions that automatically qualify for exemption. The certificate must specify a period of validity, which can be as long or as short as the doctor considers medically necessary. If your condition changes, the exemption can be reviewed or revoked. It is also necessary to inform your car insurer if you are exempt from wearing a seatbelt, as this may affect your policy. Apart from medical exemptions, the law also recognises several practical exemptions where wearing a seatbelt is not required. These include drivers who are reversing or supervising a learner driver who is reversing, drivers of goods vehicles on deliveries where the vehicle travels no more than 50 metres between stops, licensed taxi drivers looking for customers, either by being hailed in the street or waiting at a taxi rank, and also disabled persons who are wearing a specially designed seatbelt. Other exemptions apply to vehicles used for police, fire and rescue services, and some paramedics. While ambulance drivers must wear seatbelts, healthcare professionals riding in the rear of an ambulance providing urgent medical attention, or treatment that cannot be delayed or effectively administered while wearing a seatbelt, do not. This certificate must be carried at all times when you are driving or riding as a passenger without a seatbelt for medical reasons. If you are stopped by the police, you are required by law to produce this certificate as proof of your exemption. A letter from your doctor is not sufficient; only the official certificate is valid and recognised under the law. If you claim a medical exemption but do not have the official certificate with you, you can be fined for not wearing a seatbelt. The certificate must be shown to the police on request. Without it, you are not legally exempt, regardless of your medical condition. The certificate is your legal proof and must be presented to authorities if requested. Failing to do so means you are not exempt and could face penalties. The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that anyone who fails to wear a seatbelt and is not in possession of a Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing is breaking the law. "A person who drives or rides in a motor vehicle in contravention of regulations under this section is guilty of an offence; but, notwithstanding any enactment or rule of law, no person other than the person actually committing the contravention is guilty of an offence by reason of the contravention," the act reads.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Toddler attacked by ‘XL Bully' outside Scots shop as cops launch hunt for owner & mutt
Officers are trying to track down the dog and it's owner before it strikes again DEVIL DOG Toddler attacked by 'XL Bully' outside Scots shop as cops launch hunt for owner & mutt A TODDLER has been attacked by an out-of-control "XL Bully" outside shops in a Scots town. The three-year-old was bitten as they waited outside the premises in Pumpherston, West Lothian. Advertisement 1 A toddler has been attacked by an out-of-control "XL Bully" The horror happened around midday on Friday, May 2 in the Drumshoreland Road area of the town. The dog, described as a fawn coloured, stocky dog wearing a black harness and lead, and owner left heading down Drumshoreland Road towards the school. The owner is described as male, white, around 6ft tall, stocky build with light coloured short hair. He was wearing a dark top, shorts and sliders. Constable Kirsty Forsyth from Police Scotland said: "We are appealing to the public to help trace the dog and its owner." Advertisement XL Bullies have been at the centre of numerous attacks in recent years across Scotland and the UK. In Scotland, it is a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog without a valid Certificate of Exemption. It's also illegal to breed, sell, give away, rehome, abandon, or let an XL Bully stray, according to the Scottish Government. Owners with a valid Certificate of Exemption must follow specific rules for the life of the dog, including keeping the dog on a lead and muzzled in public, ensuring secure conditions to prevent escape, and maintaining public liability insurance. Advertisement Thre laws brought Scotland into line with the rest of the UK last year.
News.com.au
29-04-2025
- News.com.au
Moment pet dog is tasered to death after it was ‘set on cops by owner' during arrest
This is the moment cops tasered an 'aggressive' XL Bully after it lunged at officers trying to arrest its owner. Police were called to a park in Manchester on Friday evening to reports of males carrying machetes. Shocking arrest footage - that you can watch in the video player above - shows the dog lunging and barking at cops while they arrested its owner, dressed in a tracksuit with his hood up. Cops said the male released the hound in 'an attempt to evade arrest' in Levenshulme before the chaos began. The clip shows the XL Bully - described by police as 'aggressive' - being tasered after officers claimed they had attempted to humanely control and retain the animal. The hound later died at the scene. Two 16-year-olds have since been charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. The older brother of one of the teens arrested blasted the police. He said: 'Me and my whole family are traumatised, our dog has been killed in cold blood and all she was trying to do was protect her owner. 'She was just barking at the police as most dogs would have been in that situation. 'The whole street came out and witnessed the whole thing, and the whole street is with us and says what they did is disgusting.' He said the family were 'devastated', claiming the animal was registered, insured and muzzled. He claimed the dog managed to remove its own muzzle and collar during the altercation. The case has been referred to the Professional Standards Directorate, who are investigating the matter. A police spokesman said: 'Shortly after 6pm on April 25 we were called to reports of men with machetes at Nutsford Vale Park. 'As officers arrived at the location, it's believed that one of the men released a large dog, believed to be an XL Bully, in an attempt to evade police. 'The dog was aggressive, and several tactics were used in an attempt to safely restrain the dog. 'To mitigate the danger posed to the public and officers at the scene, the dog was tasered. Sadly, it has since passed away. 'A 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of robbery, and another 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a bladed article. 'They remain in police custody.' An updated statement added: 'We have charged two 16-year-old males, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. 'They have been charged and remanded into custody to appear at Manchester magistrates today. 'These charges relate to an incident which took place at Nutsford Vale Park on Friday April 25.' Since February 1 last year, it's been a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption. It's also against the law to take the dog out in public without a lead or a muzzle. The new rules were introduced due to a significant rise in reported attacks with multiple fatalities over the past few years. GMP has seized and euthanised 112 XL bullies in the last 12 months.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- The Sun
Moment ‘aggressive' XL Bully is tasered after it was ‘set on cops by owner' during arrest for ‘carrying machete'
THIS is the moment cops tasered an "aggressive" XL Bully after it lunged at officers trying to arrest it's owner. Police were called to a park in Manchester on Friday evening to reports of males carrying machetes. 5 5 5 Shocking arrest footage shows the dog lunging and barking at cops while they arrested it's owner, dressed in a tracksuit with his hood up. Cops said the male released the hound in 'an attempt to evade arrest' in Levenshulme before the chaos began. The clip shows the XL Bully - described by GMP as 'aggressive' - being tasered after police claimed they had attempted to humanely control and retain the animal. The hound later died at the scene. Two 16-year-olds have since been charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. The older brother of one of the teens arrested blasted GMP. He said: 'Me and my whole family are traumatised, our dog has been killed in cold blood and all she was trying to do was protect her owner. 'She was just barking at the police as most dogs would have been in that situation. 'The whole street came out and witnessed the whole thing, and the whole street is with us and says what they did is disguising." He said the family were "devastated", claiming the animal was registered, insured and muzzled. Baby girl airlifted to hospital after being bitten by XL Bully in vicious attack with two arrested He claimed the dog managed to remove its own muzzle and collar during the altercation. Footage shared on social media by shocked residents shows a broken heart emoji. The case has been referred to the Professional Standards Directorate, who are investigating the matter. A GMP spokesman said: 'Shortly after 6pm on April 25 we were called to reports of men with machetes at Nutsford Vale Park. "As officers arrived at the location, it's believed that one of the men released a large dog, believed to be an XL Bully, in an attempt to evade police. "The dog was aggressive, and several tactics were utilised in an attempt to safely restrain the dog. 'To mitigate the danger posed to the public and officers at the scene, the dog was tasered. Sadly, it has since passed away. 5 "A 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of robbery, and another 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a bladed article. "They remain in police custody.' An updated statement added: 'We have charged two 16-year-old males, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. 'They have been charged and remanded into custody to appear at Manchester magistrates today. 'These charges relate to an incident which took place at Nutsford Vale Park on Friday April 25.' Since February 1 last year, it's been a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption. It's also against the law to take the dog out in public without a lead or a muzzle. The new rules were introduced due to a significant rise in reported attacks with multiple fatalities over the past few years. GMP has seized and euthanised 112 XL bullies in the last 12 months. 5
