End breed-based dog laws
For over 32 years, dogs have been judged as 'dangerous' based on how they look due to Breed Specific Legislation (BSL). That's thousands of dogs whose behaviour poses no risk to public safety being put to sleep for no reason.
Ask your MP to work with Dog Control Coalition
As part of the Dog Control Coalition, we've joined forces with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, the British Veterinary Association, Hope Rescue, the Scottish SPCA, and The Kennel Club to strengthen and louden our voices. Together, we can demand change for dogs who deserve better.
Breed isn't the problem - behaviour is
We believe that focusing on the type of dog rather than its actions is a flawed approach. Dog aggression is highly complex, and a breed-focused approach is fundamentally flawed.
New laws for XL Bullies
In November 2023, the UK Government announced new laws for XL Bullies. From 31 December 2023, they must be on a lead and wear a muzzle in public. From 31 January 2024, it’s illegal to own one in England or Wales without an exemption certificate. XL Bullies are now banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, along with pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasileiros.
We’re very disappointed by the decision to add XL Bullies to the ban. Along with the Dog Control Coalition, we want to keep people safe—but we don’t believe this is the right approach. The Government’s broad definition of XL Bullies could lead to many healthy, well-loved dogs being unfairly affected.
Hospital admissions for dog bites rose by 154% between 1999 and 2019—even with some breeds already banned
The current laws don't work
BSL fails to protect public safety and hasn’t achieved what it set out to do. Hospital admissions due to dog bites continue to rise year on year and tragic fatalities as a result of dog incidents have continued.
Recent serious and fatal dog bites have caused a media frenzy over dangerous dogs. The law needs to be urgently reviewed and reformed, but adding more dogs to Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act will only see history repeating itself.
Report a concern
Worried about the welfare of a dog or any other animal? Use our online tool to report it quickly and get them the help they need.
Other pet campaigns that need your support
#EndBSL
On November 2023, the UK Government announced that from the 31st of December 2023 it will be against the law to have an XL Bully in a public place without a lead and muzzle. It will also be a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption from the 31st of January 2024. The XL bully has now joined the growing list of banned breeds which includes the pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero all prohibited under the Dangerous Dog Act as illegal types of dog.
We are incredibly disappointed with the decision to add the XL bully to this law. We, along with our partners at the Dog Control Coalition, want to keep everyone safe - but we believe this is not the best way to do so.
As suspected, the XL bully definition published by the UK Government is incredibly broad and we are extremely concerned about the number of healthy, much-loved dogs that will unnecessarily be swept up in this ban.
The UK government has published guidance to help owners prepare for the ban.
The current laws don't work
BSL fails to protect public safety and hasn’t achieved what it set out to do. Hospital admissions due to dog bites continue to rise year on year and tragic fatalities as a result of dog incidents have continued.
Recent serious and fatal dog bites have caused a media frenzy over dangerous dogs. The law needs to be urgently reviewed and reformed, but adding more dogs to Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act will only see history repeating itself.
In the past 20 years (1999-2019), the number of hospital admissions for the treatment of dog bites has increased by 154%, despite the prohibition of certain types of dogs.
Help us make our concerns heard
We are not alone in our concerns. As part of the Dog Control Coalition, we've joined forces with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, the British Veterinary Association, Hope Rescue, the Scottish SPCA and The Kennel Club to make our voices stronger and louder than ever before. Together, we can demand change for dogs that deserve better.
Email your MP
Let them know that they urgently need to work with the Dog Control Coalition on this issue.