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It鈥檚 against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:

• in a public place
• in a private place, for example a neighbour鈥檚 house or garden
• in the owner鈥檚 home

The law applies to all dogs.

You can report a dog that鈥檚 out of control.

Some types of dogs are banned.

Out of control

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

• injures someone
• makes someone worried that it might injure them

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

• it attacks someone鈥檚 animal
• the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal

Penalties

You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.

If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both). If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with 鈥榤alicious wounding鈥�.

If you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine (or both).

If you allow your dog to injure an assistance dog (for example a guide dog) you can be sent to prison for up to 3 years or fined (or both).

In the UK, it鈥檚 against the law to own certain types of dog.

These are the:

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

XL Bully dogs are banned in England and Wales.

It鈥檚 against the law to:

• sell a banned dog
• abandon a banned dog
• give away a banned dog
• breed from a banned dog

Whether your dog is a banned type depends on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name.

For example, if your dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type.

If you have a banned dog

If you have a banned dog, the police or local council dog warden can take it away and keep it, even if:

• it is not acting dangerously
• there has not been a complaint

The police may need permission from a court to do this.

If your dog is in:

• a public place, the police do not need a warrant
• a private place, the police must get a warrant
• a private place and the police have a warrant for something else (like a drugs search), they can seize your dog

A police or council dog expert will judge what type of dog you have and whether it is (or could be) a danger to the public. Your dog will then either be:

• released
• kept in kennels while the police (or council) apply to a court

You鈥檙e not allowed to visit your dog while you wait for the court decision.

If you have a valid Certificate of Exemption for your dog and it鈥檚 not been acting dangerously, you may be able to keep it.

You cannot apply for a Certificate of Exemption. You鈥檒l only have one if a court gave you one or you applied for one in the past.

XL Bully dogs in England and Wales

You cannot own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.

Check what to do if you own an XL Bully dog.

Going to court

It鈥檚 your responsibility to prove your dog is not a banned type.

If you prove this, the court will order the dog to be returned to you. If you cannot prove it (or you plead guilty), you鈥檒l be convicted of a crime.

You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) for having a banned dog against the law. Your dog will also be destroyed.

If your dog is banned but the court thinks it鈥檚 not a danger to the public, the court may put your dog on the Index of Exempt dogs and let you keep it.

You鈥檒l be given a Certificate of Exemption.聽

If you have a Certificate of Exemption for your banned dog

A Certificate of Exemption lets you keep a banned dog as long as it does not behave dangerously, and you follow certain rules. It is valid for the life of the dog.

Your dogs must be:

• neutered
• fitted with a microchip
• kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public
• kept in a secure place so it cannot escape

As the owner, you must:

• take out insurance against your dog injuring other people
• be aged over 16
• show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days
• let the Index of Exempt Dogs know if you change address, or your dog dies

Some public areas in England and Wales are covered by Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) - previously called Dog Control Orders (DCOs).

In public areas with PSPOs, you may have to:

• keep your dog on a lead
• put your dog on a lead if told to by a police officer, police community support officer or someone from the council
• stop your dog going to certain places - like farmland or parts of a park
• limit the number of dogs you have with you (this applies to professional dog walkers too)
• clear up after your dog
• carry a poop scoop and disposable bags

Penalties

If you ignore a PSPO, you can be fined:

• 拢100 on the spot (a 鈥楩ixed Penalty Notice鈥�)
• up to 拢1,000 if it goes to court

PSPOs in your area

Local councils must let the public know where PSPOs are in place.

Example

If the council plans to put a new PSPO in place, it must put up a notice and publish it on its website.

The notice must tell you:

• where the new PSPO will apply
• if there鈥檚 a map and where you can see it

You can report a dangerous or out of control dog to:

• the dog warden service run by your local council
• your local

You can also report dog fouling to your local council.