The Dangerous Dogs Act came into force in 1991

There are currently five different types of dogs banned under the law in the UK. Certain dog breeds are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to prevent attacks on people. The act also restricts the breeding and importation of these breeds.

The Dangerous Dogs Act came into force in 1991 and has banned five dog breeds. Dogs currently banned under law are the Pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero and the XL Bully without a certificate of exemption.

If an animal is suspected of being a banned type they are typically seized by the police who have to implement the law. According to the RSPCA, these dogs will be held in kennels away from their owner, whilst being assessed to determine if they’re a banned type.

Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) also makes it a criminal offence of allowing any dog (i.e. of any breed or type) to be dangerously out of control in a public place or a place to where it is not allowed.

XL Bully dogs were added to the banned breed list in December 2023 following a spate of attacks involving the breed, which in turn sparked a public outcry. It became an offence to breed or rehome an XL Bully dog regardless of its age, with the UK government website issuing a warning: “You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months (or both) for having a banned dog against the law. Your dog will also be destroyed.”

Dogs will be examined by an expert using a set of standards which are mainly based on appearance. The charity states “genetics or parentage” aren’t taken into consideration. Banned types who are owned can be lawfully kept and exempt from euthanasia if they don’t pose any risk to public safety and the owner is considered fit and proper. A Certificate of Exemption lets you keep a banned dog as long as it does not behave dangerously.

Conditions must be met for the rest of the dog’s life. For example, being muzzled and on-lead whenever in public. Banned types cannot be rehomed. The government states on their website it is against the law to “sell a banned dog, abandon a banned dog, give away a banned dog and breed from a banned dog.”

Whether your dog is a banned type depends on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name. For example, if your dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type.

The government warns that if you have a banned dog, the police or local council dog warden can take it away and keep it even if it is not acting dangerously and there has been no complaint. Although the police may need permission from a court to do this.

A police or council dog expert will judge what type of dog you have and whether it is (or could be) a danger to the public. Your dog will then either be released or kept in kennels while the police (or council) apply to a court.