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Information on banned species in the UK

There are some dog breeds that are currently banned in the UK and owning a banned breed is a criminal offence so do not buy or accept one.

You could be putting yourself, your family and visitors to your home in danger.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, amended in 1997, outlines breeds which are banned in the UK. The act was designed to help people identify the banned dogs. For the full document go to the Office of Public Sector website.

The banned breeds of dogs in the UK are:

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Braziliero

There are serious punishments for owning these breeds and the maximum penalty for being in possession of a banned dog is fine of £5,000 and/or 6 months in prison.

Your dog may also be destroyed although courts can use their own discretion under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1997 to exempt some seized dogs if they believe that the dog would not compromise public safety. This can only happen after dogs have been seized because it has committed an offence.