A number of dog breeds are currently banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act
A significant law concerning banned dog breeds will take effect across the UK on November 1.
Several dog breeds are currently prohibited in the UK. It is against the law to own a Pit Bull Terrier, a Japanese Tosa, a Dogo Argentino, a Fila Brasileiro, or an XL Bully, and it’s also forbidden to sell, abandon, give away, or breed from a banned dog in the UK. That said, some households may be legally permitted to own a banned breed if they possess a Certificate of Exemption.
XL Bullies, for example, were prohibited in the UK in February 2024. Yet tens of thousands of people are still thought to own an XL Bully – the largest variety of American bully dog.
The breed is described as large dogs “with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power”. The ban was brought in following a series of fatal attacks involving XL Bullies, including the deaths of children.
Possessing an XL Bully without a valid Certificate of Exemption is now a criminal offence – but recent figures show that more than 50,000 Certificates of Exemption have been granted for XL Bullies across the UK, giving those owners the legal right to keep their dogs.
However, strict rules must be followed throughout the dog’s entire lifetime. Owners are required to keep the dog at the same address as the certificate holder, although the animal may be housed at an alternative address for a maximum of 30 days per year.
As well as this, owners are required to notify the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) of any permanent change of address, inform Defra if the dog passes away or is exported, and ensure the dog is muzzled in all public places. These dogs must also be kept on a lead in public spaces – securely held by someone who is at least 16 years old, and dogs must be kept in secure conditions that will prevent them from escaping.
On November 1, a new law will come into effect. From this date, it will be illegal to leave a child under 12 in close contact with an XL Bully, or any other banned dog, in a private place (such as a home or garden), without adult supervision.
Young children, particularly those under 12, are at greater risk of dog-related injuries in the home, where incidents often involve a familiar dog. Children may behave in ways that some dogs find uncomfortable, including close contact, sudden movements, and making loud noises.
Regardless of the law, the RSPCA advises that children should never be left alone with dogs, even if it’s your own dog and they have never shown aggression before.
Government guidelines further suggest that dogs may be more likely to react unpredictably if they are stressed, unwell, overwhelmed or unable to move away from children. Adults should be vigilant to situations where a dog may need space, and “separate the child and dog where necessary.”