Last amended by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 in 2014. Extended the s.3 offence to cover private property (including the owner's own home) and increased the maximum sentences, including up to 14 years where a death results.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits certain types of dogs bred for fighting and creates offences relating to dogs that are dangerously out of control. It was enacted in response to a series of attacks and remains one of the most debated pieces of animal-related legislation.
Key Points
- Section 1 — prohibited types: pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo argentino, fila brasileiro (and XL Bully from 2024)
- Criminal offence to breed, sell, exchange, or advertise prohibited dogs
- Section 3 — offence for owner/person in charge if dog is dangerously out of control in any place
- Aggravated offence if dog injures a person — maximum 14 years' imprisonment if death results
- Courts may order destruction of dog or impose contingent destruction order with conditions
- Index of Exempted Dogs for registered prohibited-type dogs
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2014 — Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
Extended the s.3 offence to cover private property (including the owner's own home) and increased the maximum sentences, including up to 14 years where a death results.
Frequently asked questions
- Which dog breeds are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991?
- The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo argentino, and fila brasileiro. Since 2024, the XL Bully has also been added to this list. It is a criminal offence to breed, sell, exchange, advertise, gift, or possess these dogs unless the owner holds a specific exemption.
- Is it illegal to let my dog out of control in my own garden?
- Yes, it is a criminal offence for an owner or person in charge to have a dog that is dangerously out of control in any place. If the dog injures a person, the offence is aggravated. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 extended this offence to cover private property, including the owner's own home.
- What are the penalties if a dangerously out-of-control dog injures someone?
- If a dog injures a person, the offence is considered aggravated. Where a death results from such an incident, the maximum penalty is 14 years' imprisonment. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 increased these maximum sentences to reflect the severity of the harm caused.
- Can a court order my dog to be destroyed?
- Courts can order the immediate destruction of a dog or impose a contingent destruction order. A contingent order requires the owner to keep the dog under specific conditions, such as neutering, muzzling, and registering it on the Index of Exempted Dogs. If these conditions are not met, the dog must be destroyed.
- What is the Index of Exempted Dogs?
- The Index of Exempted Dogs is a register for prohibited-type dogs that are legally exempt from destruction or other restrictions. Owners of these dogs must register them on the Index. This registration is often a condition of a contingent destruction order, allowing the dog to remain with its owner under strict controls.
- Can the government ban other dog breeds not listed in the Act?
- The Secretary of State has the power to impose restrictions on other types of dogs that are not specifically listed in the Act but are deemed to present a serious danger to the public. This allows for additional controls on breeds that may not be explicitly named in the primary prohibited list.