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Dog attacks and dangerous dogs

Prohibited dogs - Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits persons from having in their possession or custody certain types of dog, these being the:

  • Pitbull type
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brazilero

It is also against the law with this type of dog to:

  • Sell it
  • Abandon it
  • Give it away
  • Breed from it

Ownership of this type of dog is only permitted where the dog is registered on the index of exempted dogs and is neutered, microchipped and insured. In addition, this type of dog must also be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in a public place and not allowed to stray.

XL Bully dogs

The government has added XL Bully dogs to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which will come in to force from 31 December 2023.

The government has published guidance for owners which can be found here. GOV.UK - Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs

To report a prohibited breed of dog

It is an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place - Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place, including all private property.

If any dog injures a person when it is out of control, the owner may be guilty of an aggravated offence.

Dog attacks on people and the threat of dog attacks from dog owners

To report that you, or your dog, have been attacked or threatened with attack by a dog or its owner

  • If you have suffered injury as a result of being attacked by a dog, you should immediately contact the Essex Police (opens new window).
  • If you have been in situation where the owner of a dog has threatened to set a dog on you or on your dog and you were therefore fearful of attack, you should immediately contact the Essex Police (opens new window).

Dog on dog attacks

The term "dog on dog attack" is used when one dog is attacked and injured by another and in general no injuries to a person have taken place.

The Police may not investigate a dog on dog attack if no injuries to a person took place unless it was considered as being dangerously out of control. However this does not stop an owners taking a private prosecution under the Dogs Act 1871.

The Dogs Act 1871 can be applied when a dog on dog attack takes place on either a public place or on private property. Similar to the Dangerous Dogs Act a series of restrictions can be imposed in relation to the dog, however unlike the Dangerous Dogs Act it carries no criminal conviction.

Further information