Dangerous Dogs

In the UK, the law on dangerous dogs is primarily governed by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The legislation was introduced to protect the public from dogs that may pose a risk to safety, with specific attention to certain breeds and types of dogs deemed to be dangerous.

Key Points of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991:

1. Banned Breeds:

The law lists specific breeds that are considered illegal to own, sell, or breed in the UK. These are:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dog Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro

If a dog of one of these breeds is found in public, it can be seized, and its owner can be prosecuted. Even if the dog is not aggressive, it is illegal to own these breeds unless the dog is registered as exempt (in very rare cases).

2. Dangerous Dogs – General Provisions:

Even if a dog is not of one of the banned breeds, it can still be considered dangerous under the law if it is:

• Dangerously out of control in a public place or private property.
• A dog can be considered out of control if it attacks a person or another animal, or if there is a reasonable fear that the dog might do so.

This includes attacks on pets, livestock, or other animals, not just people.

3. Dog Control Orders:

If a dog is deemed dangerous or out of control, the court may issue a control order that can include:

• The dog being muzzled when in public.
• The dog being kept on a lead.
• The dog being neutered.
• The dog owner being required to take training classes with their dog.

Attacks on People:

In cases where a dog attacks a person, the owner can be criminally liable. If the dog causes injury or death, the owner may face serious charges including manslaughter or grievous bodily harm (GBH), especially if they were negligent in controlling the dog.

Public Places:

The Dangerous Dogs Act also applies to dogs that are out of control in public places, which includes both public spaces and private property where the dog may pose a threat to others.