The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has formally rejected a public petition calling for reform of the UK's list of prohibited dog breeds. The petition, which garnered over 10,000 signatures, argued for changes to the legislation, but the government has stated that protecting the public from dog attacks remains its primary concern.
Government Prioritises Public Safety Over Breed List Reform
In its official response, Defra stated it must balance the views of dog owners with its fundamental responsibility to ensure public protection. The department reaffirmed its commitment to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, specifically Section 1, which outlaws the ownership, breeding, sale, and gifting of certain types of dogs.
The list of banned breeds was expanded in February 2024 to include the XL Bully. Defra explained this decision was a direct response to an unacceptable rise in dog attacks in recent years, with XL Bullies being disproportionately involved. A government spokesperson said: "This Government is committed to ensuring that the ban on XL Bully dogs is fully implemented and enforced to ensure our communities are protected."
Which Breeds Are Banned and How Are They Identified?
The legislation currently prohibits five specific breeds across the entire United Kingdom. It is strictly illegal to sell, rehome, breed, or abandon any of these dogs. The banned breeds are:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- XL Bully (added February 2024)
Crucially, the law defines a banned dog by its physical characteristics and appearance, not by its breed name or DNA. This means if a dog is judged to have a significant number of physical traits matching a prohibited type, it can be classified as illegal, regardless of its pedigree.
Legal Powers, Exemptions, and Penalties for Owners
Police and local council dog wardens hold significant powers under the Act. They can seize a suspected banned dog on the spot in a public place without a warrant, even if the animal has shown no previous aggression. A warrant is usually needed for seizures on private property unless officers are already present for another reason.
Owners can face severe penalties. If found guilty of possessing a banned dog, they risk an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to six months, or both. The court will also order the dog to be destroyed.
However, there is a potential lifeline. If a court believes a banned dog is not a danger to the public, it may place the animal on the Index of Exempt Dogs. The owner must then obtain a Certificate of Exemption, which comes with strict lifelong conditions including:
- Mandatory neutering
- Muzzling and keeping the dog on a lead in public at all times
- Holding third-party liability insurance
- Informing authorities of any change of address
It is the owner's legal responsibility to prove their dog is not a banned type. In Scotland, the standard application window for an XL Bully exemption has closed; new exemptions now require authorisation from a court and the Scottish Government.
