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Legal Considerations for Protection Dogs in the UK

30 Jul 2024

If you are considering owning a protection dog, it is imperative that you are aware of your legal responsibilities. A first consideration must be if a breed or type of protection dog is lawful or banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Pitbull Terriers, the Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasiliero, and XL Bully have all been banned, meaning it is illegal to breed, sell, or exchange them. Owning one of these dogs without the proper exemptions can lead to criminal prosecution, and often the dog’s seizure by the police and destruction. We would always recommend sourcing your protection dog from a reputable supplier as a failsafe way to avoid falling foul of breed specific legislation.

Protection dogs of any breed must also fully remain under the owner’s control at all times. Allowing a dog to become dangerously out of control is a criminal offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act, and highlights the importance of recall training and keeping a dog on a leash in public spaces. A protection dog must never be deliberately set on someone, and doing so would likely lead to a criminal investigation and prosecution. Minimal force may be used for self-defence, and the Guard Dogs Act 1975 provides the best starting point for understanding relevant legal responsibilities. It is also prudent to take out a specialist insurance policy which covers working and protection dogs.

This blog is merely intended as a starting point to help protection dogs better understand their legal responsibilities. It is not intended to replace independent legal advice, and if in doubt we recommend consulting with an appropriately qualified solicitor or barrister.

 

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30 Jul 2024

Protection Dog Breeds

A large number of different breeds are commonly used for guarding and protection work around the world. Of these, we have only found a handful that meet the standards we require for the family protection role. These include the German and Belgian Shepherd,

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