The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) (No. 2) Order 2026

Explanatory note

Reproduced verbatim from the instrument as published on legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). The note is prepared by the responsible government department and is not part of the instrument itself.

Article 3 of this Order amends the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Scotland) Order 2024 (“ the 2024 Order ”), which permits the continued ownership of XL Bully Dogs where a valid certificate of exemption is in place. Compliance with conditions of exemption set out in the 2024 Order is required for a certificate to remain valid. Article 3 amends the exemption conditions contained in article 7 of the 2024 Order to add a requirement to ensure that the dog does not come into close contact with a child under the age of 12 in any private place unless the dog or child is being supervised by a person aged at least 16. (Section 1(2)(d) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (“ the 1991 Act ”) requires a XL Bully to be kept muzzled and on a lead while in a public place).

Article 2 of this Order makes a corresponding amendment to the Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order 1991, which contains the exemption scheme applicable to other breeds of dog designated in or under section 1(1) of the 1991 Act.