Banned dogs
It is against the law to own the certain types of dogs. These are:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Braziliero
It’s also against the law to:
- Sell a banned dog
- Abandon a banned dog
- Give away a banned dog
- Breed from a banned dog
XL Bully dog ban
Following a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs, the government has added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Report a banned dog
If you suspect a dog to be a banned breed call the police on 101.
Aggressive/Vicious dogs
Aggressive dogs are those that behave in an threatening manner, including
- Biting
- Attacking other animals
- Attacking people
If you see a dog attacking a person or other animal call the police on 999.
Dog attack reports on a person must always be reported to the police on 101. Dog attacks on another dog can be reported to us.
After you report a dog
Once an aggressive dog has been reported to us our dog wardens will investigate.
Where we can identify the owners they could be ordered to do any or all of the following, especially if the offender is already known to us. Examples of these requirements can include:
- Attend dog training classes
- Muzzle the dog or require it to be on a lead in public
- Require the dog to be neutered
- Repair fencing to prevent the dog leaving the property
- Limit the number of dogs to walked in a public area
Fines and imprisonment
It’s against the law to let a dog be out of control anywhere. This includes both public and private property.
Any dog owner that refuses to control their dog risks the following sentences:
- Up to 14 years for a fatal dog attack
- 5 years for injury
- 3 years for an attack on an assistance dog
- A fine up to £20,000