Unlawful Dogs

Section 1 Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Which breeds of dog are currently classed as unlawful? 

It is a criminal offence to possess certain types of dog and the most common of these is the dog of the type known as the pit bull terrier. The only way such dogs can be lawfully kept is if they are registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs, but the only way such dogs can go on the Register is by Court order. There is no provision for a keeper to make an application to a Court themselves.

Cases are nowadays very rare. The Police have the power to seize a dog which they believe is an unlawful type and at Court the burden of proof is on the owner to prove that it is not unlawful or that there is good reason why the dog was not registered.

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