Dog attacks: Which breeds of dogs are banned in the UK?

2023-09-12 712

In the UK, dog attacks have risen by a third in five years, largely due to incidents involving American XL Bully dogs. Over half of the 10 fatal dog attacks last year involved this breed. A recent attack in Birmingham prompted Home Secretary Suella Braverman to consider banning these dogs, which can weigh double that of a Labrador. Since 1991, the Breed Specific Legislation has banned four dog breeds: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. The law forbids owning, selling, abandoning, giving away, or breeding these dogs based on their appearance, not breed or name. Advocates, including the RSPCA, argue against judging dogs by looks and call for policy changes. Their report, "Breed Specific Legislation: A Dog's Dinner," suggests alternative solutions and recommendations to address the issue.