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I wanted to provide an update regarding Dangerous dogs, which people around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. Information on Dangerous and Banned dogs taken from the Gov.uk website;
In the UK, it’s against the law to own certain types of dog.
These are the:
Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
XL Bully dogs are banned in England and Wales.
It’s against the law to:
sell a banned dog
abandon a banned dog
give away a banned dog
breed from a banned dog
Whether your dog is a banned type depends on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name.
For example, if your dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type.
If you have a banned dog
If you have a banned dog, the police or local council dog warden can take it away and keep it, even if:
it is not acting dangerously
there has not been a complaint
The police may need permission from a court to do this.
If your dog is in:
a public place, the police do not need a warrant
a private place, the police must get a warrant
a private place and the police have a warrant for something else (like a drugs search), they can seize your dog
A police or council dog expert will judge what type of dog you have and whether it is (or could be) a danger to the public. Your dog will then either be:
released
kept in kennels while the police (or council) apply to a court
You’re not allowed to visit your dog while you wait for the court decision.
You can give up ownership of your dog but you cannot be forced to. If you do, your dog could be destroyed without you even going to court.
If you have a valid Certificate of Exemption for your dog and it’s not been acting dangerously, you may be able to keep it.
You cannot apply for a Certificate of Exemption. You’ll only have one if a court gave you one or you applied for one in the past.
XL Bully dogs in England and Wales
You cannot own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.
Check what to do if you own an XL Bully dog.
Going to court
It’s your responsibility to prove your dog is not a banned type.
If you prove this, the court will order the dog to be returned to you. If you cannot prove it (or you plead guilty), you’ll be convicted of a crime.
You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) for having a banned dog against the law. Your dog will also be destroyed.
If your dog is banned but the court thinks it’s not a danger to the public, the court may put your dog on the Index of Exempt dogs and let you keep it.
You’ll be given a Certificate of Exemption.
If you have a Certificate of Exemption for your banned dog
A Certificate of Exemption lets you keep a banned dog as long as it does not behave dangerously, and you follow certain rules. It is valid for the life of the dog.
Your dogs must be:
neutered
fitted with a microchip
kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public
kept in a secure place so it cannot escape
As the owner, you must:
take out insurance against your dog injuring other people
be aged over 16
show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days
let the Index of Exempt Dogs know if you change address, or your dog dies
Hopefully this information provides you with the knowledge to report any criminal offences relating to banned or dangerous dogs.
If you would like to speak to your local Police on this matter please send us a message and we will be in contact
 It’s an offence to let a dog be dangerously out of control whether that’s in public or private. A dog is considered to be out of control if it: - injures someone
- makes someone worried that it might injure them
A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if: - it attacks someone’s animal
- the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal
In the UK, it's against the law to own certain types of dogs and this is dependent on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name. If you see a dog loose or if you think someone has and/or is breeding banned dogs, please report this online. If the dog seems to be out of control, let us know by calling 101. Get Involved Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
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