What is The Dangerous Dog Act
Why Are Certain Dog Breeds Banned In The UK?
The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, otherwise known as DDA, is a list of regulations which confirm when an owner and their canine are deemed out of control. These laws originally just applied to public spaces but were expanded upon in 2014 to also include private property. The reason for this was that an increasing amount of illegal breeds were being kept along with domestic dog attacks being reported.
The matter is a legal concern if someone is attacked or put at risk by any dog breed in a way that can cause harm to life. Under the act, police can be given permission to seize and put down a dog that is deemed to be in breach of the rules and therefore acting dangerously. This is managed by courts to ensure that all factors of a situation are assessed.
What Dogs Are Banned Under The Dangerous Dog Act In The UK?
The dangerous dog act outlines an extensive set of rules that are applicable if a dog is deemed to be out of control. As part of this act, a number of dogs are deemed illegal to keep. The reason for this is that the act outlaws any breeds that are considered aggressive and likely to cause harm. The most recent addition to this is the American XL Bully which was added in 2023 after a lengthy set of campaigns and debates with the UK government.
Also on the list is the Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Pit Bull Terrier and Japanese Tosa. The government is constantly assessing data and information from dangerous dog breaches meaning more breeds are likely to be added in the future. If an owner is deemed to have a banned dog breed, the police are allowed to obtain court permission to seize the animal. This is the case even if a complaint or incident has not been reported for the animal.
What Are The Penalties Of Breaking The Dangerous Dog Act?
As you would expect, the Dangerous Dog Act brings with it some hefty penalties, as breaking the law is always a serious offence. Section 3 of the DDA represents the laws that are held by the act. If you are found guilty of breaking any of these, the following penalties can be applied.
- Imprisonment of up to six months plus an unlimited fine, which must be settled within a certain time period for owning a banned breed.
- Another matter could be being charged with malicious wounding if you are deemed to deliberately allow a dog to harm another person. If this causes death, the charge holds a 14-year prison sentence and an unlimited fine.
- A fine of up to £5000 is the most common penalty should any dog cause injury to another person. You could also be sent to prison for up to 5 years and be banned from owning any dog breeds in the future.
- Penalties are also in place if any dog injures an assistance dog. These animals are supported by government aid and are essential for helping those with disabilities to navigate life as normal. If an attack takes place from any breed, you could be sent to prison for up to 3 years, fined or receive both of these.
- You will also gain a criminal record if any offences are registered against you which can impact areas such as applying for new work or evening owning a dog in the future. Once you have had an animal offence associated with you, it will also be tricky to even rescue a dog as you will be deemed an irresponsible dog owner.
It should also be noted that as dog attacks seem to continue to rise across the UK, as do the number of owners, more penalties and laws will likely be added to this list over the coming years.
Are There Other Laws To Be Aware of Outside of The Dangerous Dog Act?
Yes, pet owners must also pay attention to other laws associated with owning a dog otherwise penalties could come their way.
In the UK, it’s compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped by the time they are 2 months old. The current owner then has a legal responsibility to ensure the chip always has the correct information associated with it. If a dog is not microchipped or they are found to have the wrong details, a fine of up to £500 can be applied.
Nuisance crimes are also a common offence with issues such as excessive barking and not picking up waste being two of the main ones. Finally, owners can be charged with crimes relating to animal cruelty and neglect if they are deemed not to be providing effective care for their pets.
Are There Other Laws To Be Aware of Outside of The Dangerous Dog Act?
Understanding the Dangerous Dog Act is essential if you are a dog owner. This is the case no matter what breed of dog you own. Also, the law still stands even if you are simply walking the dog for someone else or looking after it for a short period. If a dog is deemed to be out of control, there will be repercussions.
Our expert team are specialists in this matter, so they are able to provide support and assistance should the DDA impact you. In situations like this, you will need an expert by your side to ensure the most favourable outcome is received. Below, we have outlined how we do this in a couple of ways:
Ensure You Know The Latest Guidelines
There are always changes that dog owners must be aware of that can impact the way they manage a dog. We are always informed of the newest information meaning you can rely on our team to give you up to date and relevant support. This is available through direct contact with our team and also via our news section should you not currently be a client of ours.
Support With Any Legal Cases
If you have either been a victim of a crime or are dealing with an offence against you as a dog owner, we are available to offer our expert legal support. From helping you understand the rules such as if a policy officer can make you unlock a phone during an investigation to helping you build a case that will stand in a court of law, we are available to help with everything.
Our experts have not only dealt with DDA cases in the past, but are aware of wider laws which impact the management of associated cases. We provide a personal service to every client and ensure that you feel supported every step of the way.
To enquire about our support or to simply ask more questions about the dangerous dog act, click here to contact our team.
