In the UK, it’s against the law to own certain types of dog. These are the:

Pit Bull Terrier

Japanese Tosa

Dogo Argentino

Fila Brasileiro

It’s also 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.

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’re not allowed to visit your dog while you wait for the court decision.

You can give up ownership of your dog but you cannot be forced to. If you do, your dog could be destroyed without you even going to court.

Going to court

It’s 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’ll 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.

Index of Exempted Dogs ( IED )

If your dog is banned but the court thinks it’s not a danger to the public, it may put it on the IED and let you keep it.

You’ll be given a Certificate of Exemption. This is valid for the life of the dog.

Your dog must be:

neutered

microchipped

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 IED know if you change address, or your dog dies