Five dog breeds are classified as banned in the UK: the Japanese Tosa (pictured above), Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Pit Bull Terrier, and as of January 1st 2024, XL Bullies. The ban on these breeds falls under Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), but what does Breed Specific Legislation mean? 

According to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is illegal to breed, sell, give away, or abandon a dog classed as a banned breed. It is also against the law to own a banned breed unless the owner has been granted an exemption certificate, has 3rd party liability insurance, neuters the dog, and adheres to keeping them muzzled and on a leash when out in public for the dog's lifetime.

With strict rules in place for banned breeds, does Breed Specific Legislation serve its purpose in keeping the general public safe? 

According to many experts and organisations throughout the UK, the adamant response is that no, it does not. The RSPCA reported: “BSL fails to protect public safety and hasn’t achieved what it set out to do. Hospital admissions due to dog bites continue to rise year on year and tragic fatalities as a result of dog incidents have continued. [Between 1999-2019] the number of hospital admissions for the treatment of dog bites increased by 154%, despite the prohibition of certain types of dogs.”

A troubling concern with the government's approach to tackling dog attacks, is that Breed Specific Legislation fails to address one of the leading causes of dangerous dog behaviour; irresponsible dog ownership. Dogs have specific needs, and when these needs aren’t met, just like a human, their mental state changes, often resulting in physical changes too. One of the most recent, relevant studies shows that banned breeds are no more likely to bite than other breeds. 

Furthermore, dog attacks happen regularly across the country, many of which are not by banned breeds. BSL targets specific breeds as a way of solving the problem, when the sobering reality is that any dog can attack, not just the breeds that the government have deemed to be a danger to the public. 

So what is the solution to the rising dog attacks in the UK?

Experts are adamant that responsible ownership is vital to reduce dog attacks. Caring for a dog is a long-term commitment of ten to twenty years (breed dependant), and it is vital to understand what is involved before getting a dog of any breed. Before rehoming, rescuing, or buying a dog, potential dog owners need to ask these questions.

• Can I afford to feed, home, and care for a dog?

• Can I provide a dog a safe home to live in?

• Can I make time to properly exercise a dog regularly as they require?

• Can I make time to train and play with a dog?

• Am I physically and emotionally available to love and care for a dog? 

If the answer is no to any of those questions, then a dog is not a suitable animal companion. The absence of any of the above is likely to contribute towards a frustrated, potentially anxious dog, which is often a contributing factor to dog attacks in the UK.

Another distressing concern with Breed Specific Legislation, is the death rate to innocent dogs that have not shown any signs of aggression.

stacydubuc/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

BSL uses a broad spectrum of measurements to identify whether a dog is within a banned breed ‘type,’ and many dogs that meet these measurements are at risk of being seized and destroyed, regardless of whether they are a banned breed or not. 

Any bull-breed-type dogs that find themselves in shelters and meet the government guideline measurements cannot legally be rehomed, so rescues are forced to euthanise them, although many veterinary practices are refusing to put healthy dogs to sleep.

Animal Rights Activist Leigh-Catherine Salway is one of many members of the Save Our Bullies movement experiencing this first hand: “We’ve been inundated by distraught owners who have had to choose between keeping their dogs or losing their home, or struggling to pay the exemption fees because of the XL Bully ban. We need to ban backyard breeders and invest in responsible ownership. BSL does nothing to protect the public and innocent dogs are dying all over the country because of it.”

Many UK residents agree, with the Don’t Ban Me – Licence Me group campaigning to end BSL, calling for better education and licensing of dogs instead of a ban. Their recent petition gained over 600,000 signatures from the general public, and support from animal welfare and dog behavioural experts. 

Some countries have a ‘deed not breed’ approach preferring to use dog licensing and have reportedly fewer dog attacks than countries with Breed Specific Legislation. UK dog licences were scrapped in 1987, with the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 following shortly after. Yet this approach has seen a significant rise in dog bites since the legislation was brought in. 

The Dog Control Coalition, a group of accredited animal organisations including, The Blue Cross, Battersea, British Veterinary Association, Dogs Trust, Hope Rescue, PDSA, Scottish SPCA, The Kennel Club and USPCA are united in their request to rethink BSL: “For 32 years, the Dangerous Dogs Act has focused on banning types of dog and yet has coincided with an increase in dog bites and the recent deaths show that this approach isn’t working. The UK Government must tackle the root issue by dealing with the unscrupulous breeders, who are putting profit before welfare, and the irresponsible owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control.”

If you have been affected by Breed Specific Legislation, you can seek advice from The DDA Watch or Wheldon Law Dog Specialists. If you’re unsure how to decide if a dog is the right companion animal for you, check out Peter Egan’s Call For Compassion, and we discuss the ethical dilemmas of pet ownership.