The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has provided an update on the issue of dangerous dogs following calls to abolish breed-specific bans in the UK. These appeals are part of an ongoing parliamentary petition advocating for a shift towards ‘responsible ownership’ and behavior-centric laws instead of regulations that unfairly target specific dog breeds.
Acknowledging the opposition to breed-specific legislation, Defra emphasized the need for a balanced approach to safeguard the public from dog attacks. Consequently, the breeding and ownership of dogs such as XL Bullies, Pit Bull Terriers, and others will remain prohibited under the law.
In a statement on January 8, Defra stated that while some individuals oppose breed-specific laws, it is crucial to maintain public safety by regulating certain breeds. The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 prohibits the ownership, breeding, transfer, and sale of five types of dogs, including the Pit Bull terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, and the XL Bully.
XL Bullies were added to the list of banned breeds in February 2024 due to a surge in dog attacks, with a significant number of XL Bullies contributing to the increase. Defra stressed the importance of protecting communities from such ‘dangerous dogs.’
Furthermore, Defra highlighted that law enforcement and local authorities have additional powers to address dangerous dogs and irresponsible dog ownership. It is illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act to own a dog that is dangerously out of control, regardless of its breed.
Defra’s response also outlined measures to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds, including collaboration with relevant agencies and the reconvening of the Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce. The government aims to reduce the risk posed by dangerous dogs through education, training, and enhanced data collection efforts.
As the petition ‘Change the DDA 1991 to stop breed bans and focus on behavior’ garners over 11,000 signatures, it could potentially trigger a parliamentary debate if it reaches 100,000 signatures. The full petition and Defra’s response can be found here.