Introduce a new law protecting dogs from dangerous out of control dogs
- 101 Signatures
(Estimated Final Signatures: 151 - 3 added in the past 24hrs)
Attacks by dangerous out of control dogs may result in severe injuries for innocent pets and cause immense emotional & financial distress to owners. We think current legislation is insufficient. Introduce a new law to protect dogs from dangerous out of control dogs.
Found: Introduce a new law protecting dogs from dangerous out of control dogs
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs are registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs by (a) breed and (b) type.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As of the 12 March 2025, the total number of dogs registered on the Dangerous Dogs Index, broken down by breed type, is as follows. This excludes dogs that have died, destroyed or have been exported.
Type of Dog | Number on Dangerous Dogs Index |
Dogo Argentino | 24 |
Japanese Tosa | 4 |
Pitbull Terrier | 2,698 |
XL Bully | 56,469 |
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including (a) the Cane Corso and (b) crossbreeds between a Cane Corso and a Rottweiler under S.1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government currently have no plans to add these breed types to Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Owners of any breed of dog which is dangerously out of control are breaking the law. We will continue to encourage responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog and to consider whether the current dog control rules are sufficient to ensure communities are protected.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that the ban on keeping XL Bullies is enforced effectively.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government is committed to ensuring that the ban on XL Bully dogs is fully implemented and enforced to ensure our communities are protected from dangerous dogs. Defra have supported the police to deliver additional training to Dog Legislation Officers to make sure the ban is effectively enforced, and we are continuing to engage closely with the Police to monitor the impacts of the XL Bully dog ban.
Asked by: Ashley Fox (Conservative - Bridgwater)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 13354 on Dangerous Dogs, if he will take steps to set out a more detailed timeline on when he plans to publish guidance on withdrawing a Certificate of Exemption for XL Bully dogs.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is currently working to develop a withdrawal scheme and will provide more information about this process soon.
Nov. 17 2011
Source Page: Table showing the number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' courts, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, Sections 1(3), 3(1) and 3(3), in England and Wales, 2007 to 2010. 1 p.Found: Table showing the number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' courts, under the Dangerous Dogs
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will amend the law on dangerous dogs attacking cats to hold owners responsible.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
It is an offence under section 3(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control. Any dog that is dangerously out of control can be euthanised and their owners put in prison for up to 14 years and be banned from ever owning a dog. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance indicates dog attacks on other animals may amount to a dog being dangerously out of control, not least because of the risk to its owner should they seek to intervene in the attack on their animal.
Asked by: Laurence Turner (Labour - Birmingham Northfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department holds information on the number of injuries caused by dangerous dogs to (a) postal workers and (b) courier workers broken down at (i) national, (ii) local authority and (iii) Parliamentary constituency level.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra does not hold data on the total number of dog attacks or on the number of injuries caused by dangerous dogs on postal or courier workers as enforcement authorities and healthcare services are not required to report this information to Defra. This information may be collected by the NHS, individual police forces and local authorities.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41337 on Dangerous Dogs, what steps he is taking to improve health outcomes for people who are victims of dog bites.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Health Service provides advice on what to do after an animal bite, which is available at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/animal-and-human-bites/
Individuals who have been bitten by an animal and are concerned should seek medical assistance.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 19399 on Dangerous Dogs, what the outcomes were from his discussions on improving data (a) collection and (b) recording on dog attacks; and what recent discussions he has had with (i) police and (ii) local authorities on this matter.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is continuing to work with the police, local authorities and animal welfare groups to explore measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. This includes continuing to consider how we can improve data collection and recording so we are in a better position to take action.