Owners of dogs from prohibited breeds in Northern Ireland will be required from 1 November 2026 to prevent any child under 12 from being left alone with the animal in private settings. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said the new condition on exemption certificates is designed to cut the risk of serious injury to children.

Non-compliance can lead to enforcement steps, including seizure of the dog and prosecution under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983.

In a second change, from 1 July 2026 applicants for an exemption certificate will no longer need to provide evidence of third party liability insurance. The move aligns Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Minister Andrew Muir stated that restrictions on prohibited breeds are vital for public safety and that evidence showed XL Bully type dogs posed an increased risk, prompting his earlier 2024 intervention. He noted that while the new supervision rule applies only to restricted breeds, young children should always be watched around any dog.

Local councils, responsible for dog control enforcement, will contact affected owners directly to supply updated certificates. Owners are not required to take any action themselves, and all other exemption conditions stay in force.

Five breed types are currently classified as restricted under Northern Ireland legislation.