The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has provided an update on the status of dangerous dogs in response to calls for the removal of breed-specific bans in the United Kingdom. This update comes following an ongoing parliamentary petition advocating for a shift towards emphasizing ‘responsible ownership’ and behavior-centered laws rather than regulations that disproportionately target specific dog breeds.
While acknowledging the opposition to breed-specific legislation, the government department emphasized the need for a balanced approach to safeguard the public from dog attacks. Consequently, breeding and owning dogs such as XL Bullies, Pit Bull Terriers, and others will continue to be considered criminal offenses.
Defra highlighted that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits the ownership, breeding, gifting, and sale of five types of dogs, including the Pit Bull terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, and XL Bully, to ensure public safety. Possessing a banned breed without a Certificate of Exemption is considered a criminal offense in England and Wales.
XL Bullies were included in the list of banned breeds in February 2024 due to a surge in reported dog attacks. The UK Government emphasized the need to protect communities from these perceived dangerous dogs.
In addition, Defra mentioned that authorities have various powers to address issues related to dangerous dogs and irresponsible dog ownership. The ownership of a dog that is deemed dangerously out of control is illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act, irrespective of the breed.
Defra indicated that efforts are ongoing to promote responsible dog ownership and prevent future attacks through collaboration with the police, local authorities, and animal welfare organizations. The Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce has been reinstated to explore strategies for responsible dog ownership across all breeds, with recommendations expected in the near future.
Furthermore, Defra is exploring the role of education and training for dogs and their owners to mitigate the risk of dog attacks. Improvements in data collection are also being considered to enhance the department’s ability to take appropriate action.
Defra affirmed its commitment to reducing the threat of dangerous dogs to people and communities. The petition advocating for changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has garnered over 11,000 signatures, with the potential for a parliamentary debate if it reaches 100,000 signatures.
For further details, the full petition and Defra’s response can be accessed here.