What is the law on dangerous dogs?

The main law on dangerous dogs in England and Wales is the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which covers dogs that are dangerously out of control and banned types such as the XL Bully.

Penalties for a dog that is dangerously out of control

The law applies in public places, in private places such as a neighbour's garden, and in your own home.

Banned dogs

Five types of dog are banned:

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

Whether a dog is banned depends on what it looks like, not its breed name. Police can take a banned dog from a public place without a warrant. They need a warrant for a private place.

If you are convicted of having a banned dog without an exemption, you can get an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison, or both. The court will order the dog to be destroyed.

XL Bully rules in England and Wales

It is a criminal offence to own or have an XL Bully without a valid Certificate of Exemption. It is also an offence to:

• sell or give one away
• breed from one
• abandon one or let it stray
• have one in public without a lead and muzzle

Applications for new certificates have closed. Only a court can now allow a new exemption.

Rules if you have a Certificate of Exemption

• The dog must be neutered and microchipped.
• It must be on a lead and muzzled at all times in public.
• Whoever holds the lead in public must be at least 16 years old.
• Keep the dog somewhere secure so it cannot escape.
• You must show the certificate within 5 days if a police officer or council dog warden asks for it.
• New from 1 November 2026: you must not leave a child under 12 in close contact with an XL Bully in a private place, like a home or garden, without an adult supervising. This becomes a condition of the certificate.
• Since 1 July 2026: you no longer need third party public liability insurance for a banned breed dog.

Local dog rules (Public Spaces Protection Orders)

Councils can make orders that say you must:

• keep your dog on a lead
• keep it out of certain places
• limit how many dogs one person walks
• clean up after your dog

Breaking one can mean a £100 on-the-spot fine, or up to £1,000 if it goes to court.

How to report a dangerous dog

Report it to your council's dog warden service or to your local police force.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

The rules above are for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own XL Bully rules, so check the guidance for where you live.

Related guides

• Does my dog or cat need a microchip?
• How do I report antisocial behaviour?
• Can my landlord refuse a pet?

Where this comes from

• Controlling your dog in public (GOV.UK)
• Banned dogs (GOV.UK)
• Public Spaces Protection Orders (GOV.UK)
• Report a dog (GOV.UK)
• Ban on XL Bully dogs (Defra)
• XL Bully dogs in Scotland (mygov.scot)
• XL Bully dogs in Northern Ireland (nidirect)