WHICH DOG BREEDS ARE BANNED IN THE UK? FULL LIST OF DANGEROUS DOGS AND HOW THEY’RE HANDLED BY THE RSPCA
Source: iNEWS (Extract)
Posted: March 25, 2022
The UK banned several aggressive dogs under the The Dangerous Dog Act (1991).
Dog ownership surged over lockdown, with a total of 3.2 million households in the UK buying a pet since the start of the pandemic, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association.
With the uptick in pet ownership, comes the increased chance of unregulated pet purchases and rise in dog attacks.
Which dog breeds are banned in the UK?
The Dangerous Dog Act was introduced in 1991 following a spate of fatal incidents involving dogs.
Under the legislation, there are four types of dog breed currently banned in the UK:
- Pitbull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
The United Kennel Club says of Pitbull Terriers: “The essential characteristics of the Pitbull Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. They make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children.”
Although Pitbull Terriers can be trained to be aggressive. There were 15 fatal attacks in England and Wales from 1981 to 1991, and so the breed was banned in the UK in 1991.
The rare Japanese Tosa was originally bred as a fighting dog, and they are now considered near-impossible to come by.
Primarily used for hunting, Fila Brasileiro dogs, also known as the Brazilian Mastiff, are noted for their excellent tracking ability and are often thought to be aggressive.
The Dogo Argentino is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of hunting animals like wild boar.
What happens to banned dogs?
According to the RSPCA: “Dogs suspected to be a banned type are taken away from their owner and held in kennels.
“Many dogs find the process very difficult to cope with and can result in undesirable changes in health and behaviour.”
They add: “Banned types can be lawfully kept and exempt from euthanasia if they don’t pose any risk to public safety and the owner is considered fit and proper.
“However, conditions must be met for the rest of the dog’s life which can negatively impact their welfare. For example being muzzled and on-lead whenever in public.
“Sadly, many dogs will have to be euthanased and thousands have died because of BSL since 1991.”
