Responsible dog ownership and dangerous dogs
Pets, pooches, fur-babies, man’s best friend. Call them what you will, dogs are often at the heart of our homes, and they can be a great addition to any family.
But regardless of the breed, all dogs have the potential to harm and all owners and breeders have a responsibility to keep their dog, themselves and others safe.
Some breeds are also banned under UK law, so whether you’re a dog breeder, owner or thinking of buying or rehoming a dog, this page is an essential read.
Tips for responsible dog ownership and child safety
- Never leave children unattended with a dog, regardless of the breed, temperament, age, familiarity. All dogs are unpredictable.
- Never let children crowd or encroach on a dog’s space, whether yours or a stranger’s. Some dogs, especially those who are fearful or who may have been mistreated, could see that as a sign of aggression or dominance.
- Never allow children to bother a dog when it is sleeping or eating. Dogs can respond aggressively.
- Never allow children to approach a dog they don’t know. Teach children to ask permission from the dog owner before approaching to pet them.
- Ensure your dog has a quiet, calm space that it can retreat to, particularly for when it is overstimulated or tired.
- Don’t allow children to play with dogs and their toys unsupervised.
LEAD (Local Environmental Awareness on Dogs) scheme
An initiative to promote safe and responsible dog ownership has been launched in Mid Glamorgan.
Led by South Wales Police, and in conjunction with multiple partner agencies including local authorities and registered social landlords, the LEAD (Local Environmental Awareness on Dogs) project is designed to improve engagement with dog owners of all breeds.
The proactive process aims to reduce the risk to communities that have arisen through irresponsible dog ownership and antisocial behaviour (ASB), via engagement, education and early intervention.
LEAD will enable partners to share intelligence and implement a range of measures such as warning letters, acceptable behaviour contracts and, ultimately, enforcement action if appropriate.
The LEAD initiative launched in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend county boroughs on December 4, with the aim of rolling the scheme out across south Wales in due course.
XL Bully and other banned breeds – Know the law
On February 1, 2024, XL Bully dogs became a banned breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
This means that it is now against the law to:
- sell an XL Bully dog
- abandon an XL Bully dog
- give away an XL Bully dog
- breed from an XL Bully dog
- have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle
It is also a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption from DEFRA (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ) for your dog. Those with such exemption will need to adhere to strict rules in order to keep their dog.
Anyone who knows or believes their dog to be an XL Bully, but hasn’t applied for a Certificate of Exemption, is urged to contact us as a matter of urgency.
This recent update is specific to the XL Bully breed, but other breeds are already banned under this legislation. If you are a dog owner, breeder, or prospective owner, ensure you’re fully aware of which breeds are currently banned under UK law.